New team knocking on PBA door

Despite the exit of Shell, the Philippine Basketball Association might keep a 10-team roster as it opens its 2005-2006 season in October with a prospective new team member now in touch with league commissioner Noli Eala.

Eala refused to divulge the identity of the firm involved but there were initial negotiations.

"They’re interested to join the league and we’ve discussed how they can avail themselves of the PBA membership. But I can’t divulge its identity at the moment for reasons that the company wants to keep our discussion very informal," said Eala.

Eala said they discussed the company’s possible takeover of the Shell squad or joining the league as an expansion ball club. "They want to know what could be more feasible or viable for them," he said.

Eala said they could easily change the approved format involving only nine teams if the new ball club decides to join the league starting the 2005-2006 campaign.

"We would discuss in a board meeting the tournament format for re-approval. And we could adopt our old format involving 10 teams," said Eala.

This developed as Shell formalized its indefinite leave of absence in the league through a letter by Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp. chairman and president Edgar Chua to the Commissioner’s Office yesterday.

Pursuant to the league constitution, Shell is to forward to the Commissioner’s Office the contracts of its displaced players for proper dispersal.

Eala said they will hold the dispersal draft before the Annual Rookie Draft set Aug. 14 at the Sta. Lucia East Mall in Cainta.

Players to be involved in the dispersal draft are Joey Mente, Arnold Gamboa, Rob Duat, Eugene Tejada, Jerry Codinera, Jeck Chia, Edwin Bacani, Tonyboy Espinosa, Estong Ballesteros, Banjo Calpito, Chris Jackson, Celino Curz, Rensy Bajar, Carlo Sharma, Marlon Legazpi and Porfirio Marzan.

Before Shell’s leave of absence eventually took effect, the team was able to deal to other teams Rich Alvarez, Tony dela Cruz, Billy Mamaril, Ronald Tubid, Chris Calaguio, Roger Yap, Ervin Sotto and Kalani Ferreria.