A third MVP team in PBA?
RECENTLY APPOINTED Maynilad President/CEO Victorico “Ricky” P. Vargas has long been joking about buying a PBA franchise for his new company. He already even had a monicker for his future players.
“They would be called Aquanauts,” Ricky said laughing.
Ricky could have been serious at the time, but since he sounded like he was joking, nobody gave the matter much thought.
After all, one of the Manny V. Pangilinan-led companies, Meralco, had just acquired the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise. With the addition of Meralco, MVP now has a total of two PBA teams.
The other is Talk ‘N Text.
Ricky could have been talking seriously though, if we are to believe reports that the business magnate wants to have three PBA teams, to equal the number owned by Danding Cojuangco of San Miguel Corporation, a business rival.
Danding’s teams are San Miguel Beer, Ginebra San Miguel and B-Meg Derby Ace.
* * *
Last Friday at the Araneta Coliseum, player agent Charlie Dy asked if it was true that Maynilad was joining the PBA. He said the information came from very reliable sources.
Quickly I pulled out my mobile phone.
“Is it true?” I threw the question in turn at Ricky Vargas, who must have been packing his bags for a trip to Amaty, Kazakhstan, where his amateur boxers are competing.
Ricky is also the president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines. He is also alternate governor of Talk ‘N Text in the PBA. If ever, Maynilad would be his third sporting concern.
His reply: “Hindi pa ngayon, Tita Beth, pinag-iisipan pa lang.”
Actually, I half expected Ricky to issue a full denial, although there might be some truth to the report.
“Eh, kailan?” I was persistent.
“Kung ako lang ang tatanungin, Tita Beth, next conference na sana. But we have to work it out first with the shareholders of the company. Personally though, I’m very excited with the prospect,” Ricky said.
I could not squeeze any thing more from Ricky, except a few parting words that I requested, to which he graciously acceded. His parting shot gave me something to think about.
“Cheers from the Aquamen—as fluid as water, mabilis mag-penetrate kahit saan,” Ricky said.
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