Kia coach Manny Pacquiao (middle). PBA Images/Nuki Sabio
Hoping for a fresh start in the PBA 41st season, Kia plans to change its team name once again, this time to the Mahindra Enforcers.
Team manager Eric Pineda bared that the move is a chance for the team to introduce Mahindra, an Indian automobile brand, to the Philippine market.
Joe Ramos, also a team manager, confirmed the name change, saying, “We are planning to change the name of the team to Mahindra Enforcers.”
Palawan governor Jose Chavez Alvarez owns both Columbia Autocar Company, the Kia distributor, and Asianbrands Motors Corporation, the distributor of Mahindra in the country.
Mahindra Enforcer is a utility vehicle manufactured by Mahindra currently used by the Philippine National Police as its mode of transportation.
A Mahindra Enforcer vehicle. Kia reportedly plans to change its name from Kia Carnival to Mahindra Enforcers. INQUIRER File Photo
Kia used Sorento in the Philippine Cup and Carnival in the import-laden conferences as monikers in its inaugural season. The expansion team finished near the cellar in all three conferences.
Under playing-coach Manny Pacquiao, the team had its best finish in the Governors’ Cup where it just missed out of the playoffs at ninth place.