CHICAGO - While ferociously ducking under publicity for years, mining magnate Frank Lao has poured millions to support athletes and athletic programs in both the NCAA and UAAP.
The shy billionaire relished the anonymity.
But when Strong Group Athletics (SGA) took off like a rocket last year, competing in international basketball events while fielding two teams in the PVL, anonymity meandered towards popularity.
That unwanted attention got brighter when the Philippine Senate, in a resolution authored by Senator President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, honored Strong Group-Pilipinas for winning the 43rd Jones Cup title last July in Taiwan.
SGA IN THE PBA?
Now that SGA has planted our proud flag overseas, what's next?
The PBA makes sense. With his ample resources, Lao can fork the franchise fee and maintain a competitive team year-round.
"If the opportunity presents itself, bakit hindi?" Lao told me via text message.
There's a major roadblock, unfortunately.
Lao's vast empire includes businesses that compete with some of the established franchises in the PBA, a huge no-no in entering the exclusive club.
That restriction, many believe, is the reason why Chooks To Go was unable to acquire a PBA franchise mainly due to the existence of Magnolia, an SMC subsidiary that also sells chicken.
IDEAL FRANCHISE.
Given its financial wherewithal, deep connections in the US and abroad where imports are secured, access to top local high school and collegiate talents, plus an already established fan base, SGA will be a boon for the PBA.
Among the players - foreign and local - who have suited for SGA are Dwight Howard, Nick Young, Shabazz Muhammad, Chris McCollough, Ange Kouame, Kevin Quiambao, Rhenz Abando, Jordan Heading and many more.
Lao rescued the now-defunct Gerflor Defenders when the PVL could no longer cover the P2 million plus" in salaries to the players and staff.
Asked if Strong Group has plans of expanding its presence in the PVL beyond Farm Fresh and Zus Coffee, Lao said there's none and that he is pleased with the progress the Foxies and Thunderblees have shown.
What appears clear in the near future is for SGA to compete in Dubai and improve on its bridesmaid finish last year, a heart-breaking loss that went down to the last second.
Strong Group-Pilipinas will also defend its Jones Cup diadem inJuly 2025.
If it isn't already, SGA is slowly becoming a household name among Pinoy sports fans. And that must be a bitter-sweet feeling given Fank Lao's reticence in embracing fame and the accompanying spotlight.
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