PBA: Universal Canning rekindles interest in joining league

FILE – PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial.

ANTIPOLO—The maker of two familiar sardine brands has expressed interest in joining the PBA, commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed on Sunday.

Marcial said Universal Canning Inc. made its intentions known during the league’s visit to Zamboanga City where Magnolia and Phoenix met in a Philippine Cup out-of-town game the previous night.

READ: Three companies now loom as buyers of Terrafirma PBA franchise

Universal Canning Inc., owned by the Kaw family led by its matriarch Anita, manufactures Master Sardines and Family’s Brand Sardines, has been active on the basketball scene in recent years.

“They had intentions of joining the PBA in the past, but we had a lengthy talk with Tippy [Kaw’s son]. We’ll see but they might join,” Marcial said in Filipino during Sunday’s doubleheader at Ynares Center here.

Marcial did not give further details, nor did he confirm if Universal Canning is one of three companies interested in taking over the Terrafirma franchise after its initial deal with Starhorse collapsed due to financial reasons.

Universal Canning had previously sponsored the Zamboanga team playing the MPBL using the Family’s Brand name. It also backed Bacolod for a brief period in the same regional league.

The sardine company was also active in the 3×3 scene when it formed the Zamboanga team in the Chooks-to-Go 3×3 in 2020 with current PBA players Joshua Munzon, Santi Santillan and Alvin Pasaol.

It also formed a team in the PBA 3×3 using the Master Sardines brand in 2022.