(From GMA News)
What's the future in store for Barako Energy Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty?
The Photokina franchise said that it will continue participating in the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) 36th season while Sta. Lucia's fate remains uncertain.
Newly-installed PBA chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview that Barako management assured the board that it would field a team when the first conference opens later this year.
"I was informed that they will continue participating in the PBA," said Pardo. "But I told them that it will need board approval as well and we want to make sure how long can they commit."
Barako Coffee coach Junel Baculi also assured of the team’s participation next season.
"I was given directives by the management headed by boss George Chua. He told me what direction we would like to take next season and that we want to form up a more competitive team," said Baculi, who is also National University's athletic director.
Whether the board will approve or not Barako's continuous participation remains to be seen, but the PBA’s main thrust in the coming season is to generate better gate receipts and a much-improved marketing program.
"People would want to see games played at a more competitive level and they want to see competitive teams. If we have competing teams with inferior line up and not winning games, it will definitely hurt the league's attendance," added Pardo.
Barako Coffee is one team affected by the economic pinch. The team has had financial difficulties, trading their marquee players and some members of the squad reportedly encountered delays in the payment of their salaries.
Before the start of the Fiesta Cup, Barako Coffee entered a co-branding agreement with Harbour Centre, but the two companies reportedly had a "falling out", according to a source privy of the matter.
"As far as I know, Harbour and Barako had to cut short their initial agreement because of misunderstanding," said the source, who requested anonymity.
Harbour Centre team manager Erick Arejola said that the two companies had an agreement regarding the co-branding, but not the sale of the franchise.
"We came as a sponsor," said Arejola. "It was offered to us, and we agreed. It's for the Fiesta Cup only. But we've never discussed the sale of the franchise. So far, our main objective now is the coming Asean Basketball League."
As for Sta. Lucia, its participation remains up in the air and a PBA insider said that the team has sent notice of its intent of "taking a leave or non-participation starting next season."
"Of course, the next step there is probably the announcement of sale of its franchise to another company," said the source.
Asked for comments regarding the matter, Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez was advised by team manager Buddy Encarnado to "wait for the team meeting."
"So far, we're still on vacation and we're waiting for the meeting with boss Buddy," said Fernandez.
GMANews.TV tried to get Encarnado's side but calls were not answered.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has expressed its desire of returning to the PBA, but whether it will take over Sta. Lucia's franchise or come in as an expansion squad hasn't been made official yet.
What's the future in store for Barako Energy Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty?
The Photokina franchise said that it will continue participating in the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) 36th season while Sta. Lucia's fate remains uncertain.
Newly-installed PBA chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview that Barako management assured the board that it would field a team when the first conference opens later this year.
"I was informed that they will continue participating in the PBA," said Pardo. "But I told them that it will need board approval as well and we want to make sure how long can they commit."
Barako Coffee coach Junel Baculi also assured of the team’s participation next season.
"I was given directives by the management headed by boss George Chua. He told me what direction we would like to take next season and that we want to form up a more competitive team," said Baculi, who is also National University's athletic director.
Whether the board will approve or not Barako's continuous participation remains to be seen, but the PBA’s main thrust in the coming season is to generate better gate receipts and a much-improved marketing program.
"People would want to see games played at a more competitive level and they want to see competitive teams. If we have competing teams with inferior line up and not winning games, it will definitely hurt the league's attendance," added Pardo.
Barako Coffee is one team affected by the economic pinch. The team has had financial difficulties, trading their marquee players and some members of the squad reportedly encountered delays in the payment of their salaries.
Before the start of the Fiesta Cup, Barako Coffee entered a co-branding agreement with Harbour Centre, but the two companies reportedly had a "falling out", according to a source privy of the matter.
"As far as I know, Harbour and Barako had to cut short their initial agreement because of misunderstanding," said the source, who requested anonymity.
Harbour Centre team manager Erick Arejola said that the two companies had an agreement regarding the co-branding, but not the sale of the franchise.
"We came as a sponsor," said Arejola. "It was offered to us, and we agreed. It's for the Fiesta Cup only. But we've never discussed the sale of the franchise. So far, our main objective now is the coming Asean Basketball League."
As for Sta. Lucia, its participation remains up in the air and a PBA insider said that the team has sent notice of its intent of "taking a leave or non-participation starting next season."
"Of course, the next step there is probably the announcement of sale of its franchise to another company," said the source.
Asked for comments regarding the matter, Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez was advised by team manager Buddy Encarnado to "wait for the team meeting."
"So far, we're still on vacation and we're waiting for the meeting with boss Buddy," said Fernandez.
GMANews.TV tried to get Encarnado's side but calls were not answered.
Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has expressed its desire of returning to the PBA, but whether it will take over Sta. Lucia's franchise or come in as an expansion squad hasn't been made official yet.
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