Parks-mentored SMC five joins Asean pro league

MANILA, Philippines - San Miguel Corp., through its president and chief operating officer Ramon Ang, formally announced yesterday its participation in the Asean Basketball League, bringing to two the country’s member ball clubs in the fledgling regional pro league.

The giant conglomerate, the country’s leader in food and brewery businesses among others, tapped seven-time PBA Best Import awardee Bobby Parks to handle the team committed to play in the ABL for at least the next five years.

“We believe the league is an excellent platform to reach our consumers in the region. The ABL is becoming a popular league in the region and that’s the reason why we’re joining,” said Ang.

San Miguel Beer Philippines is the country’s second team in the ABL, joining Harbour Centre AirAsia Philippines of Mikee Romero and Tonyboy Cojuangco.

“Mikee is like a family to me. Even before we considered joining, he was the one inviting us. We’ll support each other,” said Ang on a possible San Miguel-Harbour Centre rivalry.

The Harbour Centre Patriots ruled the inaugural ABL season but were dethroned by the Thai team in the second season.

Ang promised to field a competitive team during a press briefing that followed the contract signing between SMC and the ABL at the Executive Dining Hall of SMC Complex in Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong.

San Miguel Brewery Inc. president Roberto Huang, SMC sports director Robert Non, ABL chief executive officer Kuhan Foo and Southeast Asian Basketball Association president Eric Toehir were among those who graced the occasion.

Foo and Toehir welcomed the entry of SMC, which they believed can help achieve ABL’s goal of improving the level of play in Southeast Asia.

They said they want Southeast Asian basketball to reach the Asian level.

Parks said they would start holding tryouts next month, eyeing ex-pros and some players in the current PBA roster.

“We’ll live up to San Miguel’s reputation as a hard-working organization. I’d rather have less talented players but hardworking rather than talented players who don’t want to work hard,” said Parks.

Reserves by the three SMC teams (Petron, B-Meg and Barangay Ginebra) in the PBA are likely to banner the SMB-Phl which will have the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig as home venue.