12 in 2012? PBA braces to expand member teams

Will it be twelve in 2012? The Philippine Basketball Association's plan of expanding its membership from 10 to 12 teams might soon become a reality as two companies have signified interest in joining Asia's pioneering professional league. This was confirmed by outgoing PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios to GMANews.TV. "Yes, at least two companies (excluding Meralco) are in talks with us, but I'm not yet at liberty to identify them," Barrios said in a text message. "Let me just say it's a concrete sign of the PBA's strength as a recognized cost-efficient marketing, advertising and promotional vehicle." Barrios' claim was given authenticity by team owners George Chua of Barako Bull and Raymond Yu of Rain or Shine, who are convinced the PBA is a good vehicle in terms of promoting their products. "We have friends in the business and we told them to do the same thing, that if they have an advertising budget, then the PBA is a good marketing tool for them," said Chua. "That's the reason why we're still here in the PBA. We believe in the PBA." Yu said that the PBA gives more mileage compared to regular advertisements, which companies will get each time they buy television or radio spots. "For a 30-second commercial, I don't think it would be enough for the people to remember our product," said Yu. "But when you own a PBA team, the name recall provides a lot to the hearts and minds of the people." "For example, my wife went in a grocery (store) when the bagger mentioned how our team was so lucky to win games against B-Meg Derby Ace. It means that the PBA is an effective vehicle in terms of name recall," added Yu, who co-owns the Rain or Shine squad with Terry Que. While Barrios didn't reveal the two companies, a highly-placed source said that Phoenix Fuel, which has been supporting the PBA in its road games for two seasons now, is interested in joining the pro league. Another company which was reportedly offered to join is Cebuana Lhuillier, a noted supporter of several sports disciplines like basketball, tennis and softball. Cebuana Lhuillier has supported basketball teams in the past including the Cebu Gems in the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association and the all-amateur RP national team that won gold in the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) championship aside from forming its own squad in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL). Danny Francisco, a former Ateneo Blue Eagle and ex-national team stalwart who is now working as special assistant to the company's top honcho Jean Henri Lhuillier, said that the PBA indeed offered their company to join Asia's first play-for-pay league to become one of the two new teams in 2012. The PBA aims to have 12 teams by 2012. "Yes, we were offered to join, but there's no concrete decision (yet) as to whether we will join in the PBA or not in 2012. Right now, our main focus is softball," added Francisco, member of the Ateneo team that won back-to-back titles in 1987 and 1988. Former PBA chairman and now Bureau of Customs commissioner Lito Alvarez said that it's high time the league expands its membership so as to have a more balanced competition and provide jobs to players. "More teams would mean more job opportunities for our players. We've seen how some players were sidelined because they have no teams to play for. We've seen players retiring at an early age," said Alvarez. - JVP, GMANews.TV