THE Philippine Basketball Association will still have a total of 12 teams when it celebrates its golden season this October.
Commissioner Willie Marcial made the assurance in light of the supposed disbandment by Terrafirma, which SPIN.ph first reported last week.
READ: Terrafirma disbands team amid uncertainty of franchise sale
“Ina-assure ko na 12 teams pa rin tayo sa Season 50 ng PBA,” said the league chieftain on the sidelines of the Philippine Cup finals presser on Friday at the Chardonnay by Astoria.
The Dyip franchise has been up for sale for quite some time now, with news of it first coming out in the open just before the start of the all-Filipino conference.
Two firms expressed interest in acquiring the team, the latest of which were the Zamboanga Valientes owned by Zamboanga councilor Junie Navarro.
So far, nothing has come out of the negotiations, other than the Valientes submitting a Letter of Intent to purchase the KIA franchise.
Marcial admitted being privy to the outcome of the negotiations between the two parties, but would rather keep mum about it, as the PBA Board is set to convene this coming Thursday.
“Sa Board meeting ko sasabihin kung ano yung nangyari sa usapan nila,” he said.
Before the Valientes, Starhorse Shipping Lines was the first to negotiate in buying the Terrafirma franchise.
But its failure to comply on some financial aspect of the deal led the league to call off the buyout.
At the same time, Marcial said it would be difficult for the league to have an odd number of teams.
“Ang hirap i-balanse lalo na sa schedule ng mga games,” he added.
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