Barako Bull, papalitan na ng Smart Gilas?

MANILA, Philippines - Magdaraos ng isang espesyal na pagpupulong ang PBA board of governors sa Huwebes upang talakayin ang alok ng Smart Sports sa posibleng tieup sa Barako Bull kahit na sa nalalapit na PBA Philippine Cup lamang.

Naghahanap ng deal ang higanteng telecom company sa Barako Bull upang matulungan ang isa’t isa at ang liga sa maikling panahon.

Ang ideya ay makapaglaro ang Smart Gilas national training pool sa all-Filipino tourney at matulungan ang Barako Bull na makabangon habang nasa transition period.

Malaki ang maitutulong nito sa Smart Gilas sa kanilang pangangailangang exposures at para sa pagpapalakas ng koponan para sa mga nalalapit na international na kompetis-yon.

Sa ilalim ng nasabing proposal ng Smart, kukunin ng training pool ang puwesto ng Energy Boosters kung saan gagamitin ang Smart Gilas jersey na may logo ng Barako Bull sa likod ng uniporme. 

“Smart approached us and brought the idea. We never say yes, knowing it needs board approval. We told them to talk to the board and, if it says yes, then we can talk about finer details,” ani Barako Bull governor at team manager Tony Chua.

“Practically, it’s still an exploratory talk. But if it’s beneficial to everyone, why not?” dagdag pa ni Chua.

“Smart is looking to hit three birds with one stone. They want to enhance the buildup of their team, they want to help us and they want to help the league.”

Kasalukuyang nasa transition period ang Barako Bull sa pamilya ni George Chua mula nang pondohan ito ng Red Bull International.

“Strictly speaking there’s no leave of absence in the PBA, and I don’t know how the board will view the proposal,” anaman ni PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

“This proposal is something new. It’s not in the PBA by-laws, and it’s not for me decide. It’s in the hands of the board,” dagdag ni Barrios.

Kailangan ng league commissioner ang two-thirds vote ng board para maaprobahan ang proposal.