Dyip guarded as new buyer emerges
Javi Gomez de Liaño (right) was part of a promising Terrafirma squad that dragged Jericho Cruz and San Miguel Beer to the distance in last season’s Philippine Cup quarterfinals. —PBA IMAGES
Terrafirma on Monday is opting to temper expectations after another group from Zamboanga confirmed its interest of entering the PBA through a possible purchase of the Dyip franchise.
“Cautious optimism,” team governor Bobby Rosales told the Inquirer when asked about talks with the group that owns the Zamboanga Valientes.
The Valientes of the Navarro family bared in a press release that discussions have begun with Terrafirma and even shared a group photo composed of PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Rosales, owner Junnie Navarro, his mother Cory and Trevor Crewe.
Mrs. Navarro is the president of Kings Asia Pacific, while Crewe is the CEO of Crewsharp.
Marcial was not available for comment, but said the previous day that Universal Caning Inc., makers of Family’s Brand Sardines and Master Sardines and also based in Zamboanga, expressed its interest in entering the league.
NBA imports
But Marcial did not confirm if Universal Caning is one of the three companies that expressed their desire to take over Terrafirma.
The Valientes and their ownership are no strangers to the PBA, having fielded a team in the league’s now-defunct 3×3 circuit.
In recent years, the Valientes have been active abroad, having played in the final season of the Asean Basketball League, The Asian Tournament and this year’s Dubai Invitational Tournament.
It also acquired former NBA players in some of the aforementioned overseas stints, namely Mario Chalmers and DeMarcus Cousins.
Navarro said the possibility of acquiring the Terrafirma franchise “would yet be another milestone for the city and people of Zamboanga.”
The emergence of the two Zamboanga groups’ PBA interest also came days after Terrafirma’s initial deal with Starhorse fell apart, owing to the shipping company’s failure to meet certain requirements. INQ
