SMC set to rejoin PBL thru Viva five

A couple of teams made it to the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) yesterday after the 21-year-old league accepted Cosmos-owned Viva Mineral Water and a Cebuana Lhuillier squad composed of aspirants for the RP team set to compete in three tough international competitions this year.

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad made the announcement after the board of directors chaired by Dioceldo Sy of Blu Detergent gave its nod to the San Miguel Corporation franchise and the National team as the league’s ninth and 10th ballclubs.

"There are a few more documents we are asking for from Viva but we can say they are already in," Trinidad told The STAR. "As far as the RP team is concerned, we’re allowing them to use our first conference as a warm-up event before they compete abroad."

Viva, composed of cagers coming from Far Eastern University with Coy Banal as coach, debuts today in a PBL out-of-town exhibition sortie versus LBC in Lipa City.

Expected to see action for Viva are Dennis Miranda, Don Yabut and Mark Isip, all formerly from Welcoat Paints, last year’s rookie of the year Arwind Santos and Cesar Catli and James Razon, two former players from Dazz Dishwashing Liquid.

The National team, mentored by veteran Aric del Rosario, was allowed to use Cebuana Lhuillier as sponsor on the blessings of its competitor Montana Pawnshop, regular member of the PBL.

"For the sake of flag and country, Montana Pawnshop has agreed to let the RP squad use Cebuana Lhuillier as its sponsor this coming first conference," said Trinidad.

Viva and Cebuana Lhuillier thus joined reigning Challenge Cup champion Welcoat Paints, Blu All Purpose, Dazz, LBC, ICTSI La Salle, Montana, John-O and Nutrilicious, which recently bought the Cheeseball-Shark franchise.

Meanwhile, Trinidad said Lamoiyan Corporation president Cecilio Pedro, owner of Dazz, has given up his post as vice chairman to Welcoat co-owner Raymund Yu, to concentrate on his team. — Joey Villar