Hotdogs stay as PBA regular

The Philippine Basketball Association board of governors yesterday approved to amend a provision in the PBA constitution and by-laws, paving the way for the continued stay of Purefoods as a regular member of the country’s premier pro league.

The San Miguel Corp. franchise mustered the required number of votes — 2/3 vote of the board or six of the nine voting PBA governors — to effect the constitutional amendment on Sec. 4-A of the PBA constitution, which now reads: "Any team that is a part of consolidation, a merger or amalgamation will be allowed to stay in the league."

This means that SMC, which also owns San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra, will keep a three-team roster without jeopardizing the campaign of the five other teams, in particular, and undermining the credibility of the league, in general.

"I sincerely thanked the (PBA) board for the opportunity they gave and the trust they showed. Rest assured that the Purefoods TJ team will always give its 110 percent best," said Purefoods board representative Francisco Alejo after the 2 1/2-hour meeting at the Manila Golf Club.

All eight teams were represented in the meeting presided by board chair Ignatius Yenko, who described the meeting as "pleasant."

"Everyone walked out of the room with a smile in their face," said Yenko, owner of Piltel which maintains the Talk N Text franchise in the league.

PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino, appearing on his second board meeting, welcomed the decision to amend the charter, saying "the board voted in a way they see would best help the league."

Under the previous PBA by-laws, Purefoods’ stint in the league was considered illegal since one specific article says a league member can only maintain up to two teams. Purefoods became SMC’s third team under its umbrella following the latter‘s purchase of the giant food conglomerate early this year.

Immediately after the sale, the board gave Purefoods a reprieve, allowing it to maintain its team until the end of the year. Then, the deadline was extended to 2002 as the board approved Purefoods’ appeal.