CHICAGO - Strong Group Athletics (SGA) is making a giant splash in the Philippine sports scene.
After announcing its entry to the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) last week, SGA continues to be in the headlines with its all-star basketball team that is competing in the ongoing 33rd Dubai International Basketball Championship.
READ: In a team of NBA veterans, Kevin Quiambao emerges as leading scorer
As Strong Group remains unbeaten at 3-0 as of posting time, former PBA commissioner Noli Eala asked me during my segment on his show Power and Play last Saturday.
"Isn't it something that that should be thought of, at least by the PBA, na dapat magpasok ng isang team na gustong gumastos, di ba tama?"
SGA's capacity to pay for talent impressed Eala in a way that it shows "the commitment ng isang team owner to basketball that is important and we cannot see that with other teams dahil nakikita natin, some of these teams, you know, yung mga nasa ilalim, pinapakawalan pa yung mga magagaling nilang player."
Eala, of course, is spot on.
Frank Lao, the billionaire owner of SGA, definitely has the financial wherewithal to own and operate a PBA franchise.
HERE'S A BRIEF BACKGROUNDER.
In this Dubai pocket tournament alone, Lao's budget - which covers players' salaries, travel and hotel accommodations plus bonuses - is around $400,000, multiple sources told me.
On top of having four former NBA players led by Dwight Howard on their roster to go along with a slew of local stars led by Kevin Quiambao and Justine Balazar, SGA also has a formidable coaching staff.
On the sidelines with head coach Charles Tiu are assistant coach Topex Robinson and consultants Brian Goorjian and Rajko Toroman.
Now, imagine the payroll.
And Lao isn't just in it for participation trophies. Just look at the winning schools and universities that he has supported through the years in both the UAAP and NCAA - College of St. Benilde, La Salle and Ateneo.
Although SGA checks all the boxes, it is unlikely that Lao would be awarded a franchise, even if the PBA commissioner himself admitted last month the struggles of recruiting expansion teams.
"May marching order sa akin ang board, sana makakuha tayo ng expansion teams. Tinitingan natin pero mahirap eh. May kinakausap ako, okay sila, biglang magbo-bog down, May kausap okay, okay sila, biglang hindi. Ang hirap," Kume Willie Marcial said in a Cignal interview.
WHY NOT FRANK LAO?
I think I know why. I've seen this movie before starring Chooks-To-Go, who reportedly got a stiff arm while making advances to enter the PBA.
"It would be an honor," Lao said if he is allowed entry to the league.
But Frank doesn't have to hold his breath. That door ain't opening because we all know why.
SGA will be good for the PBA. Denying them a franchise is basketball with borders at its worst.
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