NOT too fast.
Pureblends Corporation’s acquisition of NorthPort’s PBA franchise will have to wait—at least for now.
The Caloocan-based food solution provider specializing in custom food manufacturing has turned in its letter of intent last Wednesday and the requirements needed to secure its sale of the Mikee Romero-owned ballclub for the pro league’s golden anniversary.
PBA chief Willie Marcial said the documents are now with the review committee tasked to make a recommendation on the reported sale.
Marcial said the review committee will submit its position to the board of governors before the start of the season-opening Philippine Cup on Oct. 5.
“Wala pang final,” the amiable Commissioner said. “Iyong letter of intent and other documents ipinasa namin sa review committee. Sila ang gagawa ng recommendation.”
With the sale still under review, NorthPort will still be part of the regular rotation in Sunday’s annual rookie Draft at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall where it will pick fourth overall.
In a reportedly greenlighted moves yesterday, Phoenix sent the signing rights of Larry Muyang to Converge for guard Evan Nelle, who in return was shipped by NorthPort for big man Jeo Ambohot.
The three-player, three-team transactions saw Nelle going to the Fuel Masters, Muyang to the FiberXers, and Ambohot to the Batang Pier.
NorthPort made it to the semifinals of the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup last season but fell to eventual finalist Ginebra.
But the Batang Pier strangely traded last May rising William Navarro to Magnolia for veteran forward Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a second-round pick in the 51st season Draft.
NorthPort also lost star forward Arvin Tolentino who left for the Korean Basketball League in the same month.
The wards of coach Bonnie Tan finished with a 2-9 slate for 11th and had only tasted semifinals stitns three times in franchise history since the Sultan 900 Inc. bought the Powerade team in 2012.
