Source: NorthPort sale caught no one by surprise
The possible sale of the NorthPort franchise to a still-undisclosed buyer was something that didn’t surprise insiders who knew something was up regarding the Batang Pier’s future.
“It’s been a long time coming,” a source said on Thursday after an online report came out stating that a company from the food and beverage industry could be on the verge of acquiring NorthPort’s franchise, lock, stock and barrel.
Team officials were unavailable for comment, while PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said that he’s not aware of any sale or negotiations for the franchise that the Batang Pier purchased from Coca-Cola in 2012.
NorthPort’s status came after failed talks by Terrafirma to sell its franchise, first to Starhorse and then to the Zamboanga Valientes. The Dyip eventually decided to continue their participation for the 50th season, which kept the league’s 12-team membership.
The Batang Pier, however, saw their key players move on during the course of the 2024-2025 season, first with Commissioner’s Cup Best Player of the Conference Arvin Tolentino making the leap to the Korean Basketball League with the Seoul SK Knights.
JM Calma was dealt to San Miguel Beer upon his recovery from a knee injury, Paul Zamar was not re-signed amid his ACL recovery, while William Navarro was shipped to Magnolia for Calvin Abueva.
After the season ended, Allyn Bulanadi signed with the Pangasinan Heatwaves of the MPBL, while Abueva, Jio Jalalon and Sidney Onwubere have been taking part in exhibition games in the provinces or abroad.
“It was an open secret within the team because it has already been discussed during the course of the 49th season,” the same source said.
NorthPort made just two semifinal appearances in the PBA, including the Tolentino-led run in the Commissioner’s Cup that ended with a 4-1 loss to Barangay Ginebra.
The Batang Pier’s other Final Four berth was during the 2015-2016 Philippine Cup. It was the farthest the team ever reached.
Starhorse and the Valientes were not the only ones that tried to knock on the PBA’s door following their failed bids to buy Terrafirma as Marcial had discussions with the owners of Master Sardines and Family’s Brand Sardines during an out-of-town game in Zamboanga City last April.
Universal Canning Inc. expressed its intention of joining the big league loop, but Marcial did not confirm then whether it would enter through expansion or buy an existing franchise.
