Some members of the PBA Board yesterday stressed this will apply to any prospective buyer of an existing franchise, adding the pro league is open only to entities that can put up a competitive team and can commit to a long-term stay.

"Any company wanting to come in must first meet certain requirements, but, first and foremost, must also be able to show its commitment to the PBA as a whole," said a governor who requested anonymity.

"Even if it passes the board’s criteria, if it cannot show concrete proof of a long-term commitment then it should be ground for denial," the governor added.
Another governor said these conditions are a must for existing franchise holders and should be true for any incoming member.

Their reactions came on heels of reports that 11-year member Barako Bull is selling its franchise to Phoenix Fuel, a flourishing company based in the south. The reports confirmed a Malaya report in the past that Barako Bull, which has taken a leave of absence in the Commissioner’s Cup, is no longer returning.

The spot of the Energy Boosters was taken over by the Smart-Gilas team for the conference.

The papers for the prospective franchise sale were delivered to the PBA Commissioner’s Office last Monday. Commissioner Chito Salud has relayed a report of the prospective sale to officials of the nine other PBA member teams who will decide on the matter in a meeting later this month.

The sale needs a two-thirds approval by the board.

League Chairman Rene Pardo could not be contacted for comment at press time but he and immediate predecessor Lito Alvarez have pushed for expanding the PBA’s membership to 12 teams.

"Mas magiging maganda kung 12 teams dahil more membership entails more job opportunities, from the utilities to players and coaches," Pardo had said in a past interview.

That was the main reason why a PBA-prepared audio-visual presentation was presented to several prospective new members earlier this year, to inform them of the benefits of joining the league.

The initial governor said the prospective sale by Barako to Phoenix is sure to go through microscopic scrutiny by the board.

"Bubusisiin ng husto ang details ng bilihan and they will all be subject to the board’s approval, or denial," he said.

Davao-based Phoenix has been the league’s sponsor for out-of-town games the past three years and reportedly wants to expand its market aimed mostly at the aviation and maritime industries.

The biggest stumbling block to Phoenix’s bid to join the PBA is a protest expected to be lodged by the San Miguel Corp. group that owns the San Miguel Beer, Ginebra and B-Meg Derby Ace teams and owns controlling interests in Petron, one of the three large petroleum firms in the country.

Noli Cortez, Business Malaya Insight