After capturing six titles in 12 finals in 10 PBL seasons, Welcoat has turned over its franchise to Henkel and moved to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). There is a close relationship between Welcoat and Henkel. Welcoat’s owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que hold the distribution rights to SISTA, a popular Henkel sealant brand for household and industrial use.
Henkel is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the Philippines this year and SISTA’s entry into the PBL is a milestone that will position the brand squarely in the market. More than 50,000 employees work in over 125 countries for Henkel which operates in three strategic areas of competence — home care, personal care and adhesives, sealants and surface treatment. Some of its brands are Dial soap, Fa shampoo, Schwarzkopf personal care products and Pril dishwashing liquid. Henkel is a Fortune Global 500 company with annual sales of about $20 billion and was established in 1876 by Fritz Henkel in Aachen, Germany.
"We are out to build a competitive team," said Henkel human resources and administration manager Armando Hicarte who is holdover Welcoat representative Oliver Tanbonliong’s alternate in the PBL Board of Governors. "Our first objective is to qualify for the semifinals and if we make it to the Final Four, maybe a championship will not be too much to hope for. We’re thankful that Welcoat is helping us out in the transition process. We’re hoping the Welcoat championship tradition extends to us."
Hicarte, a high school and college varsity cager at Christ the King Seminary before transferring to La Salle where he earned a psychology degree in 1983, said SISTA is now holding tryouts to form its team.
Center Samigue Eman was the first to be signed up. Among the players in Garcia’s shopping list are Gerald Layug and Martin Urra of St. Benilde, Kyle Misa and Fritz Bauzon of Perpetual Help and Marvin Yambao of Assumption Pampanga.
"We’re looking for players who will embody Henkel’s vision and values," said Hicarte. "We’re not just putting a premium on playing skills. We want players who can bond with the community, who play with a passion and who believe in Henkel’s philosophy of being customer-driven, committed to excellence and dedicated to sustainability and corporate social responsibility."
SISTA team assistant manager Jude Roque, one of national coach Chot Reyes’ understudies, said he couldn’t ask anything more from Henkel. "The company is very supportive and very excited," said Roque. "Now, it’s up to the team to give back to Henkel and the community."
Henkel’s head office is in Alabang and a plant facility is located in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
"We are an open family company," said Hicarte. "Our employees are part of one big family. We hold basketball, bowling and badminton competitions for our employees. We just held a Family Day at the Enchanted Kingdom. Our coaching staff and players toured our office to meet our employees. Commissioner (Chino) Trinidad was our guest during our 30th anniversary program in Alabang last May. Our ‘smile’ program addresses friendship initiatives where we provide assistance to victims of natural disasters, initiate corporate volunteering projects, involve ourselves in community work and support national and international social issues."
Hicarte said so far this year, Henkel has donated P2.5 million to victims of the Leyte landslide tragedy through the Kapuso Foundation, financed scholars in the University of the Philippines and La Salle with the Semi-Conductors and Electronics Institute of the Philippines and supported the Bethlehem House of Bread in Bulacan.
Garcia, 28, is also the St. Benilde coach and a Welcoat assistant coach in the PBA. When there is a conflict in schedule, Garcia said his priority is SISTA. His Super Sealers assistant is Dexter Llamas. Team manager is Henkel corporate trading and supply and logistics head Jaciel Orandain.