Mikee reiterates wish to join pro league

MANILA, Philippines - Businessman/sportsman Mikee Romero, owner of Global Port Inc., met with PBA commissioner Chito Salud yesterday, relating his serious intention to join the pro league by next season.

A reliable source said Romero has had his separate talks with the Powerade top bosses regarding the former’s possible purchase of the latter’s team.

“He’s so serious. He’s no longer inquiring. He’s informing us that he will join,” Salud told The STAR after their meeting at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

“He’s not an applicant merely curious on the process. He said ‘I will join. I will acquire a new franchise. In an event there’s an existing franchise planning to sell, I will consider buying it,’” Salud said.

Salud and PBA board chairman Mamerto Mondragon see no problem on the entry of Romero’s team.

“He’s a sportsman and businessman with good track record. He has a lot of money. If he meets all the requirements, he’s always welcome for me,” said Mondragon.

“As a businessman, he’s well qualified. As a basketball man, Mikee has been in basketball for quite sometime already with his Harbour Centre team,” said Salud.

The league chairman and commissioner neither see problem fitting 11 teams in the league’s calendar and format for a season.

“Actually, we’re looking for 12 teams,” said Mondragon.

“If 11 is an objection, I find it flimsy. I don’t see the number as an obstacle,” said Salud.

Salud expects a formal letter from Romero any day from now.

If ever, Global Port will be the league’s first expansion franchise since Red Bull in 2001. Rain or Shine and Meralco came in via takeover of the Shell and Sta. Lucia teams, respectively.

“There’s already a precedent for expansion entry. We’ll just follow the general setup with little adjustments,” said Salud.