PBL-Liga merger talks ongoing

MANILA, Philippines - A second meeting was held in Makati the other day to pursue a possible merger between the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas with PBA chairman Lito Alvarez, SBP executive director Noli Eala, PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza and SBP technical director Perry Martinez coming together to discuss a modus vivendi.

Trinidad said he will bring up the concept of a proposed merger to the PBL Board, chaired by Jappy Pascual, in a meeting this Tuesday. Aside from Pascual, others expected to attend are representatives of San Miguel Corp., Harbour Centre, Hapee Toothpaste, Toyota Otis and Burger King-Air21.

“We’re at the stage of rationalizing a merger, whether it will benefit both leagues,” said Trinidad. “We’re not even into discussing the issues of difference which include Liga’s regional thrust and our commercial orientation and the age disparity of players. Definitely, the merger talks are alive. We in the PBL aren’t closing the doors to a merger. But our immediate priority is to keep our own league alive. A merger won’t make sense if the PBL, or Liga for that matter, has nothing to offer on the table.”

Trinidad said the PBL is determined to push through with its season-opening conference on Feb. 13 at the San Juan Arena. It will kick-start the campaign and lead into the next conference on April 11.

At the moment, Trinidad disclosed that he’s optimistic of playing eight teams in the first conference----Ascof Lagundi, Cobra Energy Drink, Excel Coil, Admix, Agri Nurture Corp., Fern-C, Cossack Vodka and Pharex B Complex. Pascual Laboratories owns Ascof Lagundi and Pharex B Complex while Asia Brewery is fielding Cobra and Cassock as sister teams.

The new franchises include Admix which markets a tile adhesive, Agri Nurture which is a large vegetable wholesaler and Fern-C which is a vitamin endorsed by the PBA.

“We’ve got six entries and two supplementals as Pharex and Asia Brewery are bringing in a second team each,” said Trinidad. “We might even be able to convince our teams on leave to reactivate, like Harbour, Hapee, San Miguel and Toyota Otis. We’re still not out of the woods. We still don’t know if we’ll survive the next two to three years. We’re just looking at this season. This may be a band-aid solution but if we’re able to cross the bridge this year, our future will be secure.”

Trinidad said Eala mentioned during the last meeting that San Miguel Corp. and PLDT-Smart will support a merger.

“Anytime you get an assurance of support from Mr. (Ramon) Ang and Mr. (Manny) Pangilinan, you’re on solid ground,” continued Trinidad. “There are certainly long-term repercussions if their support is guaranteed. We’ll be assured of subsidy for our operating costs and a TV contract. The merger will also allow us to expand. But first things first. I’ve got to present the idea to our Board and if there is approval, then we will begin to work on the details of a merger. I’m just a conduit in the negotiations. The PBL Board will decide whether or not to pursue a merger.”

Trinidad said it’s possible that the PBL second conference and Liga’s next tournament could open side by side on April 11.

“We could do parallel conferences and PBL teams could participate in a Liga leg in Metro Manila with the PBL champion facing the Liga champion in a super title series,” said Trinidad. “Arranging a working relationship shouldn’t be difficult. The important thing is we agree on basic principles and the merger is mutually beneficial.”

 Trinidad said in hammering out the details of a merger, pride shouldn’t be in the equation.

“If this is good for Philippine basketball, then we shouldn’t hesitate to swallow our pride in pushing for the merger, assuming pride is involved,” said Trinidad. “Personally, I can’t see a hindrance to working together. It’s a matter of finding the middle ground. If the PBL Board agrees, then by all means, let’s establish a relationship between the two leagues, conceptualize, rationalize and take it a step further.