PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial feels fortunate that no conflict arose when Converge ICT Solutions expressed intentions of joining the league.
It was a consensus of sorts that the internet provider could have a difficult time in fulfilling its aspirations. It’s technically in the same industry as PLDT, owned by the First Pacific Company Ltd. of no less than Manny V. Pangilinan.
The MVP Group, as it’s been known, handles three ball clubs in the league, bannered of course by telecommunications network TNT.
Vividly remembered by the fifth-year chieftain was how he had to reach out to all parties involved that they needed to seek the nod of the conglomerate through PBA chairman and Tropang Giga governor Ricky Vargas.
“Tinawagan ako ni Comm. Chito [Salud] na papasok ang Converge, so tinawagan ko si Governor Dickie [Bachmann], papasok si Converge, kailangan magbigay paalam o magbigay-pugay muna tayo kay Chairman,” he shared.
“So ipinaalam ko kay Chairman, ‘Chairman gusto pumasok ng Converge, so ano masasabi niyo?’ Sabi niya, ‘Sige magmi-meeting muna kami.’ After one or two days, ‘Comm, okay, pumapayag kami.”
Yes, it didn’t take that long for the MVP Group to allow Converge to join the league, even if it’s a direct competitor. And so on Wednesday, the league officially announced that the company has acquired the Alaska franchise.
Marcial shared during the press conference at the MoA Arena that the Board of Governors voted unanimously, 11-0, for the new team’s inclusion.
“Ganun ka-smooth,” the amiable executive said in the presser also graced by Converge team governor and former league commissioner Chito Salud and Alaska governor Dickie Bachmann.
“Ganun kadali. Akala ko nga magkakaproblema. Katulad nga ng sinabi ko, 11-0. Kung boboto man si Gov. Dickie, 12-0 yan,” he added.
Salud, on the other hand, is filled with gratitude towards Pangilinan and his group for the warm welcome of Converge.
“Napaka-importante talaga nung binigkas na salita ni Chairman Ricky Vargas that he’s calling for a liberal mindset among the Board,” he said.
“I cannot overemphasize the admiration Dennis Uy has for Boss MVP or as I said for that remarkable sport and spirit that he displayed in welcoming Converge. We are all so grateful for these events.”
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