What happened to the Terrafirma franchise over the past year now seems to mirror what NorthPort is currently experiencing.
Just a year ago, Terrafirma was the surprise of the PBA season.
After years of languishing at the bottom, the Dyip finally made a breakthrough — clinching a spot in the playoffs for the first time in 17 conferences during the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup.
Although they were eliminated by San Miguel in the quarterfinals, there was hope. The core was young and promising.
But just when it looked like they were on the verge of a true breakout, Terrafirma dismantled its core, trading away four key players in just five months while one of its stars opted to leave altogether.
Javi Gomez de Liaño was the first to leave, opting not to renew his contract. Instead, he signed with Anyang JKJ in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).
Then on July 13, 2024, Isaac Go and Stephen Holt were traded to Barangay Ginebra in exchange for Stanley Pringle, Christian Standhardinger, and a pick swap in the 2024 PBA Rookie Draft.
Five months later, Andreas Cahilig and Juami Tiongson were sent to San Miguel in a deal for Vic Manuel and Terrence Romeo.
By February 2025, the franchise—owned by Terrafirma Realty Development Corporation—was officially up for sale.
Meanwhile, NorthPort was quietly building momentum. During the same stretch, they stormed through the Commissioner’s Cup, finishing at the top of the elimination round.
The Batang Pier advanced to the semifinals but were routed by another SMC team, Barangay Ginebra, in a gentleman’s sweep.
And again — just like Terrafirma — there was optimism, a glimpse of promise.
And again, that promise began to unravel.
NorthPort, too, followed the familiar and frustrating script: trading away rising stars for aging veterans.
(C) PBA Images
Unlike Terrafirma, it was Zavier Lucero who became the first key piece to go, traded to Magnolia on July 15, 2024, in exchange for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.
After the Commissioner’s Cup, Arvin Tolentino also chose not to renew his contract, instead joining Gomez de Liaño in the KBL by signing with Seoul SK.
Then, on May 27, 2025, NorthPort traded its top star William Navarro to Magnolia in exchange for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a future draft pick.
Now, questions surround the future of NorthPort — a franchise owned by Sultan 900 Capital Inc., also listed under SMC Infrastructure.
Is a sale on the horizon?
Currently, the Kings Group of Companies, owned by the Navarro family, is in the process of finalizing its acquisition of the Terrafirma franchise.
Meanwhile, Universal Canning Inc. — a Zamboanga-based company and the parent firm of Family’s Brand Sardines — is actively proving to the PBA that it has the capacity to own a franchise.
With these developments, NorthPort appears to be the next logical target for a franchise takeover by UCI.
