THE dream or owning a PBA team remains alive and strong for Starhorse Shipping Lines.
Despite failing to come to terms in acquiring the Terrafirma franchise, the domestic shipping company is not yet giving up hope of owning a team and flaunting its brand in Asia’s first ever play-for-pay league.
“Gustung-gusto talaga ni Mam na magkaroon ng PBA team,” a source close to the Starhorse owner told SPIN.ph.
‘Mam’ of course, refers to Merian Hernandez-Reyes, owner of the shipping company founded and established by her late husband, Victor Reyes, a former board member of Quezon Province.
Negotiations to buy the Dyip franchise had reached first base, but eventually fell apart after Starhorse "failed to meet certain requirements on the financial side," as per PBA commissioner Willie Marcial.
But the same source said it was not financial issue but more of a technical matter, that aborted the supposed acquisition of Terrafirma by Starhorse Shipping Lines.
“Technicality lang naman nagka-problema. It’s not a matter of not being able to support or maintain a PBA team (financially),” added the source.
Terrafirma has since shifted to negotiations with a new potential buyer in Zamboanga Valientes, owned by Zamboanga City councilor Junnie Navarro.
Starhorse, said some observers, doesn't have any issue with regards to funding a PBA team, which could run in tens of millions annually. The company, in fact, is a major supporter of the Basilan Viva Portmasters in the MPBL and the San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA.
The source though, did not mention if the maritime firm would be willing to revive its plan to buy a PBA expansion franchise which, at current market rate, could be around P200 million.
Signs point to PVL comeback for Kapitan Jia
A Creamline comeback is looking imminent for Jia de Guzman.
The Alas Pilipinas captain added ‘Creamline Cool Smashers’ back to her Instagram bio, the first glaring sign of an impending return for the eight-time PVL best setter.
Prior to this, SPIN.ph has learned that de Guzman is eyeing a PVL comeback later this year, bar any late changes or interventions.
Adding two and two together, de Guzman’s expected return also justifies why Creamline didn’t acquire the services of any young setter during the 2025 PVL Rookie Draft.
Instead, the Cool Smashers signed two middle blockers in National University’s Sheena Toring and University of the Philippines’ Nica Celis.
For her longtime teammate Alyssa Valdez, without any direct confirmation, reuniting with one of her Ateneo aces-turned-Creamline MVPs is a prospect she’s eager to realize sooner than later.
“Hopefully, but she’s still focusing on Alas right now,” Valdez said. “I’m just really looking forward to always give my best for the team in whichever way I can.”
The league goes back into action with the PVL on Tour as all 12 teams visit multiple stops all over the country before the resumption of the Reinforced/Invitational Conference in the final quarter of 2025.
SMC, MVP Group team up again for world volleyball championship
Two corporate giants and sporting patrons will join forces again for a historic milestone for Philippine volleyball.
PNVF president Ramon ‘Tats’ Suzara bared San Miguel Corporation will be among the major sponsors in the hosting of the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship in September.
The national federation previously teamed up with the MVP Group in late April, with Manny V. Pangilinan himself present in the contract signing to pledge support.
The MVP Group and SMC, rivals in the PBA, teamed up in the country's co-hosting of the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup in Manila.
As far as SMC goes, it is now only a matter of time before the PNVF publicly announces its forthcoming partnership with the Ramon S. Ang-led conglomerate.
“Anytime this week, we have additional support from one of the top corporations. MVP, tapos yung katabi niya, susuporta rin,” Suzara said.
“I had a meeting with coach Alfrancis Chua sa New York [to affirm] the support of RSA [Ramon S. Ang].”
Only 95 days remain before the world’s biggest men’s volleyball tournament reaches Philippine shores.
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