MANILA – The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is poised to welcome a new ballclub as Pureblends Corp. has acquired the NorthPort Batang Pier franchise in a deal reportedly worth P90 million, signaling the end of Mikee Romero’s team after more than a decade in the league.
Sources confirmed that the transaction was completed over the weekend, with Pureblends assuming control of the franchise on September 1. The takeover, however, still requires the approval of the PBA Board of Governors, which is set to deliberate and vote on the sale in its meeting on Wednesday.
The board will also weigh in on a league rule that allows teams to veto applications from direct competitors. Despite San Miguel Corp. having similar food industry interests, reports indicated it is unlikely to oppose Pureblends’ entry.
It remains undecided if the team will carry the Pureblends name immediately, as branding plans are still under discussion. Pureblends is owned by Bryann Calantoc, a former Grace Christian High School standout and University of Santo Tomas alumnus who previously backed squads in the MPBL and Pilipinas Super Liga.
As its final activity before the transition, NorthPort conducted a two-day tryout in Quezon City for free agents and rookie hopefuls ahead of the Season 50 draft. Current contract players — Calvin Abueva, Joshua Munzon, Cade Flores, Evan Nelle, Fran Yu, and James Kwekuetye — reported for practice on Monday.
The fate of free agents Jio Jalalon, Damie Cuntapay, Jerrick Balanza, Sidney Onwubere, and Avan Nava, along with head coach Bonnie Tan and his staff, remains uncertain under the new management.
If approved, the sale will close the chapter on the Batang Pier, who entered the PBA in 2012 when Sultan 900 Inc., owned by Romero, purchased the Powerade Tigers franchise./PN
