There’s no particular timetable set, but the Philippine Basketball Association is hoping to welcome a new team in time for its 50th season.
Especially now that there is renewed optimism surrounding the sale of the Terrafirma franchise following the entry of Zamboanga Valientes into the fold.
“Sana makasali sa 50th natin” Commissioner Willie Marcial told reporters during an impromptu presser on Wednesday night.
“‘Yung Valientes sana makasama kasi naguusap na sila; alam ko medyo nagkakasundo na sila.”
The Dyip and the Valientes are in the midst of discussions of a potential purchase of the former, indeed good news for one of the league’s hard-luck teams after talks with Starhorse Shipping Lines, Inc. fell through.
Both camps have reportedly reached a mutual agreement, although it will still have to go through a meticulous process before being finalized.
Marcial himself enumerated that such transactions will require numerous requirements and, ultimately, need to earn the nod of the Board, although the league chieftain expressed confidence that it will eventually materialize.
That’s because he sees the ‘aggressiveness’ of the Valientes consortium, spearheaded by owner Junnie Navarro, in pursuing the deal.
Add to that the sense of familiarity with them after the same entity joined the now-defunct PBA 3×3 during its inaugural season in 2021.
“Hangga’t walang pang binibigay sa atin na mga requirements natin lalo sa financials, at board approval, tingnan natin” he said.
“Pero sa palagay ko naman, mapu-push through ‘to. Mas agresibo si Junnie sa deal na ‘to.”
Navarro’s group is the latest to be unveiled by the PBA as one of those aspiring to join the league, the first one being Universal Canning Inc.
Also from Zamboanga, the mother company of Family’s Brand Sardines and Master Sardines has also sent a letter of intent like the Valientes.
But it remains to be seen if UCI, which is owned by Anita Kaw, will purchase a different franchise or become part of the league as an expansion team.
“Tingnan muna natin. Sila rin nagbigay ng letter of intent. Gusto nila sumali, kung ano ba o expansion. Naguusap pa kami kung papaano,” Marcial said.
The only thing that’s certain at this point is Starhorse Shipping being totally out of the picture.
#WATCH: PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial shares the latest on Zamboanga Valientes’ bid to buy the Terrafirma franchise 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/pubTroBoOe
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 30, 2025
