THE once-promising NorthPort team in the PBA may be headed for disbandment.
The signs seem to be everywhere, the main one being that the team, known as the Batang Pier, has been unloading its top talent as though it is undergoing a fire sale.
Some observers noted that the pattern of activity in NorthPort is eerily similar to the moves taken by Shell and Sta. Lucia Realty a few months before the teams were disbanded more than a decade ago.
LIST: Top players that NorthPort either traded or failed to keep
Team sources have not confirmed that it is going in that direction as NorthPort, which joined the league in 2012 after acquiring the Powerade (Coca-Cola) franchise, continues to honor its commitment to the league and may finish the season as a member of the PBA.
Currently, the Batang Pier, which has businessman Mikee Romero, formerly a party-list member of Congress, as the listed owner, have won just one game in eight outings.
But one PBA source who requested anonimity told SPIN.ph: “Parang yung nangyari sa Shell at Sta. Lucia noon.”
This season alone, NorthPort broke up the core of what had been the envy of most teams before – a young, athletic roster that plays an up-tempo style of game.
The Batang Pier traded before Season 49 big man Zav Lucero to Magnolia, then gave up fit-again JM Calma to San Miguel prior to the season-ending Philippine Cup, and then traded William Navarro to the Hotshots.
The team also lost top gunner Arvin Tolentino, who didn’t sign a new contract with the franchise and instead, accepted a deal with the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League.
That same pattern happened to Formula Shell two decades ago. The Turbochargers dealt Tony dela Cruz and Rich Alvarez to Alaska, Billy Mamaril to Coca-Cola and sent Ronald Tubid to Air21 before the franchise took a leave of absence. The franchise was later bought by Welcoat Paints, now known as Rain or Shine.
Five years later, in 2010, Sta. Lucia followed suit. Guard Dennis Miranda was shipped to San Miguel, veteran Dennis Espino to Coca-Cola, and former MVP Kelly Williams and then rising guard Ryan Reyes were acquired by TNT. The Realtors later sold their franchise to Meralco.
Trekking the same path, will Northport follow suit?
Meanwhile, some rumors have been circulating regarding things happening behind the scenes in NorthPort's currrent situation. Some sources say the team has not been practicing regularly and the reason is logistics.
The team is reportedly trying to cut down on expenses as practices involve allowances, use of facilities and material and other related matters. Which some say is another sign the team is headed for the exit.- Gerry Ramos
Heading-Mikey swap approved at the trade deadline
WELL, what do you know?
After seemingly delaying the approval of a major trade between TNT and Converge to make it appear that it is studying the matter seriously, the PBA finally approved the Mikey Williams for Jordan Heading trade Monday - or five days after the two teams officially submitted to the league the trade papers involving the two prolific Fil-foreign players.
It so happened too, that Monday (June 2) was the last day the league allows teams to make trade transactions. That beats the deadline and as one team official said, "Swakto." about the timing of the Williams-Heading trade approval.
Heading will now don the Tropang 5G jersey, his third team in the league after Terrafirma and Converge, although he never suited up for the Dyip, not even once. By the way, the Dyip's franchise is currently up for sale.
Williams is playing just for his second PBA team after seeing action for TNT for two seasons where he won two championships, two finals MVP, and Rookie of the Year honor.
The trade also ended two years of acrimony between Williams and TNT whose back-and-forth feisty exchanges were a continuing drama in the PBA.
TNT had refused sign back Williams after their negotiations collapsed but held on to the Fil-Am's rights that put William's basketball career in limbo. The two sides' inability to agree on how much Williams should be paid was reportedly the center of disagreement.
Will it be "all's well that ends well?" Give us your comment.- Gerry Ramos
Korea-bound Arvin still eligible for yearend awards
Arvin Tolentino may no longer be with NothPort after signing with the Seoul SK Knights in the Korean Basketball League, but the former NorthPort star is still eligible to win an MVP in the PBA 49th Season.
Under PBA rules, a player is eligible for the award if he meets the 70 percent threshold of games played and Tolentino, according to records, satisfies that requirement even though he has only played two matches in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Tolentino played in all 10 games of NorthPort in the Governors’ Cup and all 18 games in the Commissioner’s Cup which included the quarterfinals and the semifinals where the Batang Pier had a dream run.
READ Coach Bonnie leaves NorthPort porch light on for Arvin homecoming
NorthPort is set to play only 11 matches this conference with the Batang Pier already ousted from contention from the playoffs, bringing their total number of games this season to 39.
Tolentino played 30 games this season, or 76 percent of NorthPort’s games.
Tolentino could be, at least, in the conversation for an individual award after winning the Best Player of the Conference trophy in the Commissioner’s Cup.
But winning the MVP is considered by many to be unlikely. It's because NorthPort may miss the playoffs in both the Governors’ Cup and the Philippine Cup and that could hurt his chances. - Reuben Terrado
Want to know Alas Pilipinas' final four cuts?
It wasn’t until Sunday, exactly a week before the 2025 AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, that the Alas Pilipinas roster was set in stone.
Hours after that meeting, Alas head coach Jorge Souza de Brito was in touch with SPIN.ph and bared that there were four final cuts before the 16-strong roster was formed.
Two middle blockers, one setter and one libero were among the last players to be scratched off the national team.
READ Jorge Souza de Brito takes over from Gorayeb as Capital1 coach
Among the pair of net defenders, one was supposed to be a national team debutant while the other is a champion veteran who hasn’t been called up for international duty for nearly a decade.
The playmaker taken off the list is a young yet decorated ace in the PVL who already has national team experience to her name, while the excluded libero is still in the midst of making up for lost time after a lengthy hiatus.
Then came the final green light from de Brito upon baring the final list of 16 aces to represent the country in the Nations Cup.
No specific reasons were given regarding the final cuts made, but with the 16 chosen players, de Brito struck a balance between fielding experienced veterans and integrating the new generation of the sport’s rising stars. - John Mark Garcia
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