Air21 shoots for lifting of trade ban with Texters

Air21 (formerly Burger King) has requested the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board to lift the trade restriction on the Express and the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters since both teams are considered as sister squads.

The Express carried the Burger King name when it competed in the Philippine Cup where they only managed to enter the wildcard phase of the season-opening tournament. Both are owned by the Lina Group of Companies of businessman/sportsman Bert Lina. Aside from Lina, Burger King is co-owned by several stakeholders that include PBA chairman and Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez, Manny V. Pangilinan and Ricky Vargas of Smart Communications, and Wilson Young of Basic Holdings Corporation. Pangilinan owns the Tropang Texters with Vargas sitting as the PBA board representative. The PBA prevents sister teams to directly trade to each other to maintain fair play so they won’t monopolize the talented players within their ranks. That’s why sister teams, like San Miguel and Ginebra, need a conduit or third team to complete the trade. But this coming conference, with the team now carrying the name of a company solely owned by the Lina Group, Alvarez is bringing up his request to the commissioner that trade restrictions directly to the Tropang Texters be lifted. "I believe this is just a commissioner matter and I’m confident that my request will be granted," Alvarez said. But PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios told GMANews.TV that he cannot decide on the issue alone and the case needs board approval. "In fairness to Mr. Alvarez, he was the one who volunteered to the board that Burger King, which has investors coming from Talk ‘N Text, be not allowed to trade directly to Talk ‘N Text," said Barrios. "I think he can write a request through me, but it will be the board who will decide on the matter." But if he will have it his way, Barrios believes Air21 and Talk ‘N Text can still not trade directly owing to the fact that people from Talk ‘N Text has a share in one of the companies of the Lina Group. "Mr. Pangilinan and Mr. Vargas have an investment in one of the companies of the Lina Group that is why I believe they cannot trade players," said Barrios. "Still, that’s just how I see it, I am not a voting member and I will bring this matter up to the board. I see this case as a board matter." Purefoods board governor and PBA vice chairman Rene Pardo said in a text message that “they will look into the ownership of Air21 first." "If we see no problem with that then that’s OK," said Pardo. Coca-Cola board representative JB Baylon, in a text message, added that he’s ok with the idea of lifting the trade restrictions between Air21 and Talk N Text players. Barrios said he will wait for Air21’s request. The issue is expected to be brought up in the board’s next meeting wherein Pardo, being the vice chairman of the PBA board, will preside since Alvarez’s team is the one involved. – GMANews.TV