An official caught fans’ attention when Magnolia selected Yukien Andrada as the sixth overall pick in the 2025 PBA Draft on Sunday.
Standing beside new Hotshots team governor Jason Webb and team manager Alvin Patrimonio was Erick Arejola.
“Consultant” is how the now-former Northport governor Arejola described his new role with Magnolia.
Arejola has served as head of basketball operations and governor of Northport (formerly Globalport) since the franchise, owned by Mikee Romero, entered the league in 2012.
But there’s more to the story.
Over the past month, a transition has been underway as Pureblends Corporation prepares to acquire the team.
(C) PBA Images
Presiding over the transfer is Batang Pier head coach Bonnie Tan, a friend of young Pureblends president Bryann Calantoc — both alumni of Grace Christian Academy and the University of Santo Tomas.
Tan is expected to take on a managerial role with the Pureblends-owned team.
With the transition comes personnel changes.
During the draft, Batang Pier team manager Waiyip Chong was seen seated at the Terrafirma Dyip table.
Chong, along with co-team manager Pido Jarencio, is expected to move to the Dyip as team officials.
Meanwhile, only one representative from Pureblends was allowed to join Northport during the draft, serving solely as an observer.
Most of Northport’s coaching staff are expected to be retained during the first year of Pureblends’ operations, although a new head coach will be brought in.
An official announcement regarding the fate of the Northport franchise and the changes at Terrafirma is expected in the coming weeks.
