ANTIPOLO – Universal Canning Inc. has revived a serious intention to have its own franchise in the PBA.
Tippy Kaw, whose family owns the firm that manufactures the Family's Brand Sardines, met with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial over the weekend in Zamboanga City where Philippine Cup game between Magnolia and Phoenix was played.
COLUMN: Is Family's Brand Sardines eyeing a move to PBA?
Marcial said the Kaw family talked about the possibility of joining Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league the way the company envisioned it almost a decade ago.
“Matagal na sila (may plano). Twelve or 14 years ago,” recalled Marcial, adding it was no less than the family matriarch Anita Kaw who talked to him about it in the past.
“Noon pa lang may intensiyon na sila. Tapos eto, si Tippy yung anak niya (Anita), nag-usap kami. So tingnan natin.”
Marcial though refused to say if Family Brand Sardines is one of three new firms which recently expressed its interest in taking over the Terrafirma franchise after talks with Starhorse Shipping Lines collapsed.
READ PBA talking with 3 new buyers after Terrafirma-Starhorse deal falls through
Marcial also remembered Family's Brand Sardines serving as a major sponsor of the league in the past.
"Nag-sponsor sila sa PBA. May event tayo sa liga noon," he said.
Tippy Kaw watched the Magnolia-Phoenix tussle with Marcial at ringside of the Zamboanga City Coliseum, which the Hotshots won by a mile, 118-99.
"So, baka lang. Naging magandan naman yung usapan namin," said the commissioner.
Universal Canning Inc. previously saw action in the defunct PBA 3x3 inaugural season during the second and third conferences, respectively.
Carrying the brand name Master Sardines Fishing Champs, the team featured the likes of Cyrus Tabi and Levi Hernandez. The team though, failed to make it to the grand finals of both conferences.
It also took part in the Chooks-To-Go Pilipinas 3x3 during the 2020-21 season, where it had a more successful stint than in the PBA by winning a total of four legs and the grand finale that earned the team a berth in the Doha Masters of the 2020 FIBA 3x3 World Tour.
Among its prominent players include Joshua Munzon, Santi Santillan. Alvin Pasaol, and Troy Rike.
The franchise was also active in the MPBL by carrying the brand name Zamboanga Family's Masters Sardines and the Bacolod Masters Sardines.
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