By REYNALD MAGALLON
Zamboanga Valientes have joined the bid to enter the PBA after getting into serious talks to acquire the Terrafirma franchise.
In a statement on Monday, April 28, Valientes revealed that it has already reached a mutual agreement with the officials of the Dyip franchise and is now only awaiting the league approval to push through with the purchase.
“Owning a team in the PBA would yet be another milestone for the city and people of Zamboanga. Big things are coming for Zamboanga basketball,” said team owner Junnie Navarro who attended the meeting with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and Terrafirma governor Bobby Rosales alongside Kings Asia Pacific President Cory Navarro, and Crewsharp CEO Trevor Crewe.
Zamboanga Valientes have been active in basketball leagues having played in local and international tournaments. The team has also recruited some big names in the sport, once tapping the services of NBA champion Mario Chalmers in the past and recently, All-Star DeMarcus Cousins.
The Valientes bid came after Marcial confirmed that another Zamboanga-based firm Universal Canning Incorporated, the company behind Family’s Brand and Masters Sardines, has expressed interest in joining the PBA.
The league chief did not divulge whether Family’s Brand is one of the three companies that are reportedly in the bid to acquire the Terrafirma franchise but the development came after PBA played an out-of-town game in Zamboanga City where the company is based.
“Matagal na silang may plano, 12 or 14 years ago,” said Marcial who was able to talk to Tippy Kaw, the son of matriarch Anita who owned the firm that manufactures the well-known sardines brand, during the game between Phoenix and Magnolia last Saturday.
“Noon pa lang may intensiyon na sila. Tapos eto, si Tippy yung anak niya (Anita), nag-usap kami. So tingnan natin,” he added.
The Zamboanga Valientes and Family’s Brand are now the latest teams that made its intentions of joining the league public this year after Starhorse Shipping Lines did the same back in February
The shipping firm based in Lucena City actually came close at acquiring the Terrafirma franchise with the two camps even agreeing a sale lock, stock and barrel before all the talks bogged down after Starhorse failed to comply with the requirements of their deal
