Barako Bull Energy Boosters

San Miguel Beer and Barangay Ginebra are working out possible trade deals with other ball clubs in search of a solution to problems stemming from injuries.

The Beermen hope to plug holes in their wing spots while the Kings are after players who could fill the void in their center and guard positions.

Both teams fell short in their bids to make the all-Filipino finals. Lordy Tugade and Danny Seigle are two key San Miguel players downed by injuries, while Eric Menk, Celino Cruz and Jayjay Helterbrand are among Ginebra mainstays with recurring injuries during the tourney.

A reliable source said San Miguel and Ginebra are likely to close their separate trade deals before the start of the import-laden Fiesta Conference on March 21.

SMC officials are keen on beefing up the San Miguel and Ginebra rosters, hoping for a follow-up to the strong showing of all their three ball clubs in the recent Philippine Cup.

The sister teams all made the semifinals, with the Purefoods Giants sweeping the Alaska Milk Aces in four games in the finale and the Beermen topping the Kings in their one-game playoff for third place.

All three teams have no intention of slowing it down in the second conference.

The Beermen seek back-to-back all-Filipino championships with import Gabe Freeman back in tow while the Giants go for a season sweep with Reggie Larry as reinforcement.

The Kings, runners-up behind the Beermen in the 2009 Fiesta Conference, field in Awvee Storey as their import.

Air21 is another team reportedly working out a trade.

The Express have earlier consummated a deal with the Talk n Text Tropang Texters, getting Renren Ritualo and Yancy de Ocampo for JR Quinahan, Mark Yee and Aaron Aban.

At Barako Bull, a tryout is ongoing with a number of Philippine Patriots joining the Energy Boosters in the camp.

The Fiesta Conference fires off March 21 with Barako Bull tangling with Sta. Lucia Realty and Barangay Ginebra going up against Talk n Text.

The second play date on March 24 pits Barako Bull versus Coca-Cola then San Miguel against Air21.

The start of the Fiesta Conference also marks the resumption of fan balloting for the 2010 All-Star Game set April 25 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

The PBA and the Puerto Princesa city government closed their agreement after PBA officials Rickie Santos and Willy Marcial visited the host city Thursday.

It will be a five-day extravaganza with the PBA stars holding several outreach programs, including beach-cleaning, road-painting and basketball clinic, leading to the All-Star Sunday. - www.philstar.com

Barako Bull's reported plan to sell its franchise has apparently been shelved after it agreed to a deal with Harbour Centre to sponsor the team in the PBA Fiesta Cup, opening the door to the possible entry of businessman Mikee Romero in the country's only professional sports league.

Barako Bull representative Raffy Casyao said Friday that the PBA board has approved in principle Romero's role as sponsor of the Energy Boosters under the Harbour Centre banner.

Romero has made no secret of his dream to join the PBA, announcing his plan after the Philippine Patriots, a team he co-owns, captured the Asean Basketball League title two weeks ago.

The Barako Bull official said that the idea of co-branding or sponsorship can be beneficial to the league as interested companies like Harbour Centre will now have a chance to test the waters in the PBA before venturing to a long-term program.

He added that this can pave the way for the league's expansion plans or taking in two more teams in the next season. The PBA currently has 10 teams.

The Fiesta Cup is set to open March 21 and Barako Bull is still looking for an import. Some players of Romero in the RP Patriots like PBA free agents Rob Wainwright and Jerwin Gaco are trying out for slots with the Leo Isaac-mentored Boosters.

Barako Bull has until Monday to submit the terms and condition of the deal to PBA Commissioner Renauld "Sonny" Barrios before it becomes official.

Casyao said that it's pure sponsorship for Romero, a well-known basketball supporter whose teams ruled the Philippine Basketball League, winning a record seven championships, and also guiding the Philippine Patriots in capturing the ABL title.

According to Casyao, Harbour's participation will be limited to providing financial assistance to Barako Bull whose money woes have put the team under severe stress in which the salaries and allowances of players and other personnel were reportedly often delayed.

"We still have to submit the agreement, that's basically the requirement. But it's already approved in principle by the board," Casyao told The Bulletin in a phone interview yesterday, adding that nothing will change, including the franchise ownership.

A logo and name of Harbour Centre will be put at the back of the players' jerseys, but in terms of basketball operations, Romero will have no say on any decisions, Casyao said. The amount has yet to be decided by Romero and Barako Bull owner George Chua.

The idea of co-branding or sponsoring a team was actually approved by the board during the off-season to give financially challenged teams, particularly Barako Bull, special consideration.

"We're financially challenged, we don't deny it," said Casyao, who denied reports that their company is selling its PBA franchise to Meralco.

Casyao said that in the previous Philippine Cup, Yakult was considered to be a sponsor but plans didn't push through. - www.mb.com.ph

Voting for this year's PBA All-Star game and festivities slated April 23-25 in Puerto Princesa City is now ongoing with fan balloting to determine the starters for both the North and South teams.

The league reverts to the North versus South format for the mid-season spectacle after temporarily giving way to the Powerade-RP Team's training and preparation for the FIBA-Asia Men's Basketball Championship campaign last year.

In 2009, the Nationals played three exhibition games against the North and South squads, respectively.

The last time the two rivals played in Bacolod two years ago, the South won in overtime, 163-158, with Peter June Simon adjudged as the Most Valuable Player.

The two teams are 4-4 in their head-to-head encounter.

PBA fans can vote for their favorite players through the polling places to be found at the different playing venues or online through http://main.pba.ph/votes.asp.

With the fans choosing the starting line ups, the rest of the All-Star selection will be filled up by the different coaches of the 10 ball clubs. - GMANews.TV