Phoenix Fuel Masters during the press launch Wednesday. Photo by Randolph Leongson
Phoenix’s PBA dream has finally come true.
Entering Asia’s oldest basketball league starting this 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Phoenix president and CEO Dennis Uy sees the jump as a milestone for the Davao-based fuel company.
“It has always been a dream to me to be a part of this league,” he said during the team’s official press launch on Wednesday at Novotel in Cubao.
Uy, who will also act as the team’s governor to the PBA board, stated the club’s commitment to putting their best effort in managing the team.
“We are ready and committed to do what’s best for our team, the PBA, and the PBA fans.”
It has been a long road for Phoenix, which first applied for the league back in 2011.
Since then, a lot has changed in the league’s landscape–expanding to 12 teams now and undergoing a change in commissionership.
But the wait was worth it, and Phoenix vice president for external affairs Raymond Zorilla is just excited to get this team going.
“We guarantee that we will be going out there raring to fight and fighting until the end. We will give each team a good fight, and we will fight with integrity and enthusiasm,” said Zorilla, who will take on the role as the Fuel Masters’ alternate governor.
Coach Koy Banal remains at the helm for Phoenix, which inherited the core of the Barako Bull franchise.
The Fuel Masters will make their PBA debut next Wednesday against NLEX.