Sta Lucia Realtors

What's the future in store for Barako Energy Coffee and Sta. Lucia Realty?

The Photokina franchise said that it will continue participating in the Philippine Basketball Association's (PBA) 36th season while Sta. Lucia's fate remains uncertain.

Newly-installed PBA chairman Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace told GMANews.TV in a telephone interview that Barako management assured the board that it would field a team when the first conference opens later this year.

"I was informed that they will continue participating in the PBA," said Pardo. "But I told them that it will need board approval as well and we want to make sure how long can they commit."

Barako Coffee coach Junel Baculi also assured of the team’s participation next season.

"I was given directives by the management headed by boss George Chua. He told me what direction we would like to take next season and that we want to form up a more competitive team," said Baculi, who is also National University's athletic director.

Whether the board will approve or not Barako's continuous participation remains to be seen, but the PBA’s main thrust in the coming season is to generate better gate receipts and a much-improved marketing program.

"People would want to see games played at a more competitive level and they want to see competitive teams. If we have competing teams with inferior line up and not winning games, it will definitely hurt the league's attendance," added Pardo.

Barako Coffee is one team affected by the economic pinch. The team has had financial difficulties, trading their marquee players and some members of the squad reportedly encountered delays in the payment of their salaries.

Before the start of the Fiesta Cup, Barako Coffee entered a co-branding agreement with Harbour Centre, but the two companies reportedly had a "falling out", according to a source privy of the matter.

"As far as I know, Harbour and Barako had to cut short their initial agreement because of misunderstanding," said the source, who requested anonymity.

But Raffy Casiao, Barako Coffe's board representative, clarified that there was no misunderstanding between their company and Harbour Centre.

"We're thankful with Harbour because they've helped us a lot, especially in the Fiesta Cup. But I want to clarify some things. It's true that there were delays coming from Harbour, but there's no serious issue between Barako and Harbour. The delays in terms of financial matters is nothing but normal," said Casiao, who added that they will request to the PBA board on the amendment of the league's constitution to have the co-branding rule to take effect permanently on all the team participants.

Harbour Centre team manager Erick Arejola said that the two companies had an agreement regarding the co-branding, but not the sale of the franchise.

"We came as a sponsor," said Arejola. "It was offered to us, and we agreed. It's for the Fiesta Cup only. But we've never discussed the sale of the franchise. So far, our main objective now is the coming Asean Basketball League."

As for Sta. Lucia, its participation remains up in the air and a PBA insider said that the team has sent notice of its intent of "taking a leave or non-participation starting next season."

"Of course, the next step there is probably the announcement of sale of its franchise to another company," said the source.

Asked for comments regarding the matter, Sta. Lucia coach Boyet Fernandez was advised by team manager Buddy Encarnado to "wait for the team meeting."

"So far, we're still on vacation and we're waiting for the meeting with boss Buddy," said Fernandez.

GMANews.TV tried to get Encarnado's side but calls were not answered.

Manila Electric Company (Meralco) has expressed its desire of returning to the PBA, but whether it will take over Sta. Lucia's franchise or come in as an expansion squad hasn't been made official yet. - JVP, GMANews.TV

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is looking at reverting to its old, winning formula by next season.

Deputy league commissioner Chito Salud said plans are afoot at enforcing anew the three-conference format when the PBA turns 36 next year, a proposal the Board is leaning to approve.

The plan was made to accommodate the all-pro national team in its preparation for international tournaments.

"The Board is thinking about that and they are seriously considering it," said Salud, the man expected to succeed Sonny Barrios as PBA commissioner beginning next year.

"There will be extra costs entailed, but it looks positive."

Although there were already suggestions before to adopt anew the three-conference format, it is only now that the Board has seriously contemplated on the matter as means of significantly improving both the gate attendance and tv ratings of the league.

If ever the PBA Governors approve it, Salud said there will definitely be an added twist in its adoption.

"I think our fans and the Board prefer shorter conferences where there will be exciting eliminations and even more exciting playoffs," he pointed out.

"Ever since we started the PBA, there are one All-Filipino (conference) -- traditionally the longest -- and two shorter conferences with imports," Salud said. "What we intend to do is to apply a handicapping system in the Third Conference after looking at the performance of the teams during the first two conferences."

Under the format, the son of the former PBA commissioner Rudy Salud stressed that as much as possible, the league would try to avoid non-bearing games.

But while the plan is aimed at making the league more profitable, Salud mentioned that the Board is likewise scrutinizing the effects of the new format as far as the financial feasibility of it is concerned.

After all, three tournaments in a season entails the team to bring in not just one but two imports. And while the conferences may be shorter, there will definitely be more games to be played, which may translate to added expenses such as players' bonuses. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

Coca-Cola didn't take a chance and proceeded to dismantle Sta. Lucia, 100-84, as the Tigers lived for another day in the PBA Fiesta Cup wild card playoffs Sunday at the Big Dome.

Gary David came through with a game-high 32 points, nine of them in a key third-quarter breakaway. He had nine more in a rally-quelling run in the final period that finally took the fight out of the Realtors.

Import John Williamson complemented David with 30 points and 14 rebounds to help the Tigers moved to within arm's reach of advancing to the best-of-five quarterfinals.

But Coca-Cola coach Bo Perasol is not in a mood to celebrate.

"Winning is not something we want to celebrate now," he said. "I have to give it to Gary (David). Sometimes, he gets erratic, but you cannot question his desire."

Averaging 20.5 points per game, David scored 18 in the second half, nine of them when the Tigers outscored the Realtors, 26-17, in the third quarter.

David, then, added nine more in an 11-4 run that fended off the comeback hopes of the Realtors, who came to within 82-76 after trailing by as many as 75-57.

The winner of the final wild card match on Wednesday advances to the quarterfinals against Derby Ace starting on Friday.

The Tigers were in a similar situation in the last Philippine Cup, but came a win short of qualifying in the quarterfinals after being ousted by Rain or Shine.

"We were one win away last conference, so the only way we could surpass our expectations is for us to make it to the quarterfinals," added Perasol.

The loss formally ended Sta. Lucia's season, one which saw the franchise finished with a 5-14 card in the conference and 15-23 overall.

The season also marked one of the awful campaigns in the Realtors' rich, winning tradition -- one that saw them trading away key players from their championship team three years ago.

Among those notable cagers who were traded were former Most Valuable Kelly Williams, 2008 Rookie of the Year Ryan Reyes, spitfire guard Joseph Yeo, cerebral quarterback Denok Miranda and veteran slotman Dennis Espino.

The Realtors' future is likewise in a cloud of doubt as rumors continue to surround the team that this may be the franchise's final season in the league.

The Realtors entered the league in 1993 when it acquired the Presto franchise owned by business tycoon John Gokongwei.

Reportedly, negotiations are being worked out with prospective team buyer Meralco.

Anthony Johnson capped his final game in a Sta. Lucia uniform with 20 points, his lowest output this conference. He shot a conference-low 30.2 percent from the field, going 26-of-86.

The Realtors were only in the game in the first half, but never able to recover when Coca-Cola unleashed a 15-3 run at the start of the third quarter, turning a shaky 45-40 halftime lead into a commanding 60-43 bulge.

This developed as Alaska coach Tim Cone on Sunday confirmed that the Aces have acquired the services of Topex Robinson, the pesky and tough player, who suited up for Red Bull and Purefoods.

Robinson last played for Purefoods in the 2009-10 Fiesta Conference. He will see action for the first time this season when the Aces begin their quarterfinals series against Ginebra on Friday. - RCJ, GMANews.TV

Scores:

Coke 100 - David 32, Williamson 30, Macapagal 13, Taulava 9, Lanete 4, Cruz 4, Espino 3, Mendoza 3, Rizada 2, Allera 0, Gonzales 0.

Sta. Lucia 84 - Johnson 20, Aljamal 17, Peek 12, Escobal 8, Espinas 6, Menor 5, Daa 5, Omolon 5, Urbiztondo 2, Ross 2, Custodio 2, Misolas 0, Belano 0.

Quarter scores:24-20, 45-40, 71-57, 100-84.