[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’AMA’s dream: A PBA franchise’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
Friday, January 20, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=’15’ font_color=’custom’ color=’#0a0a0a’]
WHILE it has yet to achieve its initial goal in the PBA D-League (to reach at least the playoffs), the AMA Online Education Titans is already aiming bigger — to own a PBA franchise.
AMA senior vice president Arnel Hibo on Wednesday revealed that the school has already filed its letter of intent to the PBA Board of Governors to become the league’s 13th team.
“We already submitted our application letter to the PBA Board of Governors. Hopefully, in three years, we become an active member in the PBA. We hope to be there,” Hibo told a news conference.
“AMA has been playing in different leagues beginning in grade school, high school, college, and commercial tournaments, so it is just time, the company believes, to be part of the PBA,” he added.
“We used to participate in the collegiate level. We wanted to go to the NCAA and the UAAP. However, we were not able to do so. The coaching staff said, ‘Why not join the D-League.’ Eventually, we were accepted in the D-League,” Hibo said.
Hibo also said that, seeing the Titans play in the first-ever play-for-pay league in Asia will be the crowning glory of AMA, which also fared well in its stint in the NAASCU league.
“We started with the D-League and maintain our participation in the collegiate sports activities. We are a member of the NAASCU and other big leagues. We also created a grassroots team in the elementary and high school. Sa PBA na lang,” said Hibo.
However, before thinking of the big picture, the Titans is hoping to finally crack on the playoffs round in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup, which is more than doable now after tabbing the services of rookie Jeron Teng during offseason.
Before moving to the PBA, the AMA is keen on putting on a strong showing in the PBA D-League beginning with this season’s Aspirants Cup. It has selected La Salle’s Teng as first overall in the draft last December.
***
A popular sports personality seemed to have abandoned his obligation with one of the sports team (Note: The Buzzer Beater intended not to identify what sport since it will be a giveaway).
A source told the Buzzer Beater that the popular sports personality have not showed up to the sports team for almost half a year despite him holding a high dual position in that squad.
“Mga magkakalahating taon na siyang hindi nagpaparamdam sa team na iyon. Hindi ko lang alam kung may balak pa ba siyang siputin yung obligasyon nya dun o hindi na,” said the source.
“Kasi naman kahit ikaw ang lumagay sa posisyon ni (popular sports personality) hindi mo na gugustuhin na magpakita run kasi ang gulo gulo ng team na yun. Nakakawalang gana.”
“Si (popular sports personality) kasi kilalang winner sa lahat ng sinabakan nya at taliwas yun sa pinaggagagawa nung team na yun. Parang wala man lang balak mag-champion.”
“At wala rin namang karapatan yung sports team na yun na pwersahin si (popular sports personality) kasi hindi naman siya pinapaswelduhan kahit na kung minsan naglalaro siya sa team na yun.”
“Ganito yan e: Kung karerista ka ng sasakyan at nagpapanalo naman yung sasakyan mo, bakit mo pa kakalikutin? Parang boxing lang din e: Kung kumportable ka na dun sa gloves na gamit mo nung huling laban mo, hindi mo na papalitan.”/PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
