RFM mulls partnership with MBA

RFM Corp., franchise holder of PBA ballclub Pop Cola before its buyout by San Miguel Corp., is interested in buying into Metro-Regional Baskeball, Inc., management and marketing arm of the Metropolitan Basketball Association.

The MBA said Concepcion, MRBI chairman Santi Araneta and stake players in sports had started talks on a business partnership with the MBA.

MBA officials said Concepcion, one of the sponsors of the Philippine Team’s campaign in the coming Asian Games in September in Busan, Korea, wants the RFM Group to play a leading role in sports development and expressed particular interest in backing the MBA concept of grassroots development.

In a recent meeting with Araneta, Concepcion showed keen interest in MBA’s sports development program, which focuses on untapped talents from the provinces for the various ballclubs of the league.

Concepcions’ possible buy-in of a large chunk of MRBI shares would involve the formation of the Regional Sports Inc., a new marketing and management group which would run the corporate structure of the MBA.

"The possibility of Mr. Concepcion’s group taking an active role in the MBA was raised. And with Mr. Concepcion’s unparalleled experience in mixing corporate sense with national responsibilities, like in sports, would be a great boost to grassroot sports development and the MBA in particular," Araneta said.

"We have always been a supporter of Philippine sports and not just basketball. The MBA’s concept of grassroots development could be what our untapped players in the provinces have long been waiting for. We, in RFM, believe in the Filipino spirit. And if we see our people strive for success, we also can see our country moving forward," Concepcion said.

Also involved in the talks is Cecilio Pedro, owner of Hapee Toothpaste, which is the sponsor of the RP National Pool from which members of the Asian Games squad would be plucked.