The Zamboanga Valientes are in talks with Terrafirma to acquire its PBA franchise and are now awaiting league approval to proceed with the purchase.
Led by Zamboanga Valientes owner Junnie Navarro, Kings Asia Pacific President Cory Navarro, and Crewsharp CEO Trevor Crewe, the Zamboanga City-based basketball team has reached a mutual agreement with Terrafirma for the sale.
“Owning a team in the PBA would be another milestone for the city and people of Zamboanga. Big things are coming for Zamboanga basketball. Arriba Zamboanga! Viva Valientes!” said Junnie Navarro.
“Zamboanga Valientes has a proven competitive track record both in the Philippines and the international basketball scene. Owning a franchise in the PBA is the next step toward our goal of showcasing Zamboangueño talent on the big stage,” Cory Navarro added.
Zamboanga Valientes is no stranger to making bold moves in the sports world. In 2023, the team became the first basketball club in the Philippines to sign a former NBA champion, recruiting Mario Chalmers, a former Miami Heat player.
Two years later, Zamboanga Valientes made international headlines again by bringing DeMarcus Cousins, a four-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist, to the Philippines, where he helped the team win the Grand Finals of The Asian Tournament in Zamboanga City.
In addition to international stars, Zamboanga Valientes is home to both young and veteran sports figures, including Forthsky Padrigao, Mike Tolomia, Rudy Lingganay, billiards world champion Chezka Centeno, Olympic boxer Eumir Marcial, and former WBO intercontinental bantamweight champion Jonas Sultan.
Should the Zamboanga Valientes and Terrafirma finalize the deal, the team is expected to make its PBA debut by October.
