CHICAGO -- The waves are ruffling in the basketball seas and it looks like Family's Brand Sardines is swimming toward a different direction.
Per multiple sources, a well-connected Zamboanga political clan is in talks to lease the beloved MPBL franchise owned by fish tycoon Anita Kaw.
Both parties reportedly met this week and madam Kaw is confident that Family's Brand will be in good hands under the stewardship of Kat Chua, an avid sports patron and the wife of National Housing Authority (NHA) general manager Joeben Tai.
If a deal, which is gaining a lot of traction pushes through, Family's Brand will attempt to enter the PBA either as a franchise holder or a guest team.
Back in 2022 when the Alaska franchise was for sale, PBA commissioner Wllie Marcial reportedly reached out to Kaw to gauge FBS' interest, a person familiar with the situation told me.
The call from the PBA's top brass wasn't necessarily an endorsement as much as it was an affirmation of the likability and financial wherewithal of an international corporation to bankroll a multi-million peso PBA team.
FAMILY'S BRAND SARDINES WILL AID PBA PARITY.
Converge, which eventually bought the Aces, is making tremendous strides. After a semifinals run in the Governors' Cup, the FiberXers have acquired Jordan Heading and are awaiting the arrival of No.1 rookie draft pick Justine Baltazar.
Imagine how much more parity materializes in the league if Family's Brand takes over Terrafirma.
Just a thought. Discuss among yourselves.
Meanwhile, the list of coaching candidates who are in line to replace Louie Alas is growing in double digits, said a team source.
Former PBA coaches Alin Ayo of Converge and Frankie Lim. recently at NLEX, leads the impressive list that includes Jerry Codinera, one of the greatest PBA players of all time,
STERLING CREDENTIALS.
Ayo won titles at Letran in the NCAA and with La Salle in the UAAP while Lim collected championships at San Beda.
They will contend against experienced MPBL coaches such as Cholo Villanueva, Mike Saguiguit and Alex Angeles to name a few.
Ayo is expected to meet with Kaw in the coming days.
Family's Brand Sardines is an attractive coaching post for three reasons: a passionate, non-politician owner who doesn't meddle with team affairs, a dedicated fan base, and a budget as deep as the Pacific ocean.
While Alas was on the helm he was reportedly paid P400,000 a month, a package which included the pay of two assistants. And with Kaw's generosity of giving up "times-five bonuses," the team's budget swelled to P5 million a month.
While some MPBL teams have been saddled with salary delays and other financial challenges, FBS was a model franchise that always paid their bills on time and took care of players' health and well-being.
It's still up in the air whether Family's Brand Sardines leaves the MPBL or somehow joins the PBA,
But one thing's for sure: It's a win-win for Philippine basketball.
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