THE Zamboanga Valientes said they are in talks with top management of Terrafirma and close to acquiring the latter's PBA franchise.
Valientes team owner Junnie Navarro confirmed to SPIN.ph ongoing negotiations with the Dyip management led by team governor Bobby Rosales.
“We’ve already met with Terrafirma and it’s almost a done deal,” said Navarro.
READ Family's Brand Sardines presses bid to own PBA team as Dyip talks stall
Navarro also visited the PBA office recently accompanied by Rosales to meet with Commissioner Willie Marcial.
Joining Navarro were his mother, Kings Asia Pacific President Cory Navarro, and Crewsharp CEO Trevor Crewe, who is expected to form the conglomerate that will back the Valientes team.
On Friday, SPIN.ph reported that talks between the PBA and Starhorse Shipping Lines on its acquisition of the Terrafirma team collapsed due to the latter's failure to meet some 'financial requirements.'
Marcial, however, was quick to point out that the PBA is in talks with three other groups eyeing the Terrafirma team, saying two of the interested parties have submitted Letters of Intent to buy a PBA franchise.
READ PBA talking with 3 new buyers after Terrafirma-Starhorse deal falls through
Ironically, on Sunday, Marcial admitted he held talks with the owners of Family's Brand Sardines on the sidelines of the Philippine Cup out-of-town game between Magnolia and Phoenix on Saturday in Zamboanga City.
Marcial declined to comment on whether the Zamboanga-based group is eyeing the Terrafirma franchise, another PBA team, or a new franchise.
Family's Brand Sardines and Masters Sardines are under Universal Canning Inc.
Marcial said he had a talk with Universal Canning’s Tippy Kaw about the firm’s interest to become part of the PBA family, which actually dates back to as far as 14 years ago.
The Valientes lately have been active in competing in various local and international tournaments beginning in 2023 in the ASEAN Basketball League that saw the team tapped former NBA champion Mario Chalmers as import.
During last year’s grand finals of The Asian Tournament, the Valientes were reinforced by four-time NBA All-Star and Olympic gold medalist DeMarcus Cousins as they went their way to win the championship.
Early this year, the team competed as one of two Filipino entries in the 34th Dubai International Basketball Tournament and later, bagged the title in the 3rd Gov. Ann Hoffer Invitational Basketball Tournament in Zamboanga Sibugay behind a roster backstopped by former San Miguel teammates Vic Manuel and Kyt Jimenez, hulking import Sam Deguara, former UAAP MVP Malick Diouf, University of Santo Tomas star Forthsky Padrigao, and ex-PBA player Mike Tolomia.
“Owning a team in the PBA would yet be another milestone for the city and people of Zamboanga. Big things are coming for Zamboanga basketball. Arriba Zamboanga! Viva Valientes!,” said Navarro, who is running for a council seat in Zamboanga’s District 2.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
