Alex Cabagnot wants to return again to Sta. Lucia

Sta. Lucia team manager Buddy Encarnado has confirmed that disgruntled Fil-American guard Alex Cabagnot is interested in returning to Sta. Lucia after a month-long hiatus in the United States that put his Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) career in limbo. In an interview with GMANews.TV on Saturday, Encarnado, however, reiterated that nothing is yet definite with regards to Cabagnot’s possible comeback to Sta. Lucia after the 23-year-old guard again abandoned the team without saying any word. "No, not yet. He has been requesting to return, but we are still thinking about it and are in the middle of negotiations," he said. Encarnado explained that right now, team management is also in the process of implementing the guidelines that could possibly pave the way for the return of Cabagnot to the team. The Sta. Lucia team manager said part of the guidelines is for Cabagnot to undergo probation (a sit out) for one conference before he can play again for the Realtors. "He has to agree with this guideline. If not, we will not allow his return to the team," Encarnado reiterated. "The guideline is very import in order for Cabagnot to break his habit of abandoning us whenever he wants to," he added. Encarnado also said that he has been in continuous contact with Cabagnot’s parents to thresh out other details of his comeback bid. Cabagnot went AWOL from the Realtors last month and suited up for a ballclub in a Los Angeles summer league without informing his mother team. Talk 'N' Text played in that league and relayed the information to the PBA office In the PBA Rookie Draft last month, Encarnado, the former PBA board chairman, boldly said he would request PBA Commissioner Noli Eala to impose a lifetime ban on Cabagnot to serve as a wake-up call for other wayward players. The PBA fined Cabagnot P10, 000 for every game he played in the LA league, and the fine could rise as soon as he returns home. This would be the second time that Cabagnot is returning to the country after leaving a mess in the Sta. Lucia camp. In 2005, the 23-year-old cager refused to sign a contract with the Realtors after he was tabbed as the draft’s No. 2 overall pick. Both parties said it was just a miscommunication and the dilemma was later settled. GMANews.TV