Tanduay franchise up for sale; FedEx, Welcoat waiting in wings

The Philippine Basketball Association may well open its 27th season next year already minus Tanduay Rhum and with a new ballclub in either FedEx, Welcoat Paints or a team under the Lamoiyan Group of Companies.

With the internal bickerings at Tanduay camp following the trade of four key players, including franchise player Eric Menk, a Star source said Basic Holdings Inc. top honchos have put their franchise up for sale and they have had initial talks with their Lamoiyan Group counterparts.

They’re also expected to offer the franchise to FedEx and Welcoat Paints, which have long expressed intention to join the PBA bandwagon. The Lamoiyan Group, which is maintaining the Kutitap ballclub in the PBL, early this year wrote a letter to the PBA, inquiring about entry requirements.

Sources said no less than Lucio Tan Sr. decided to offer his franchise in the market following the worsening Tanduay intramurals spawned by the mind-boggling move of Lucio "Bong" Tan Jr. who traded Menk, Dondon Hontiveros, Chris Cantonjos and Bonel Balingit to the three teams of the SMC Group.

Tanduay top brass made efforts to nix the deal but the PBA Commissioner’s Office ruled that it had been consummated with the transaction done in good faith by authorized parties.

"Siguro, pwede nilang makuha uli ang mga players nila going through the same process. Trade uli sila," said PBA executive director Sonny Barrios.

But that’s a far-fetched idea.

Barangay Ginebra warmly welcomed the news of the entry of Menk in its fold. Coach Allan Caidic and his staff were to sit down in an initial meeting with the marquee Fil-Am player last night.

"No question, he’ll be a big, big addition to the team. Ang problema lang hindi pa namin siya mapapakinabangan kaagad, dahil siguradong lalaro pa siya sa national team," said Caidic of their prized catch.

Menk’s contract with Tanduay is expiring at the end of the year. His entry into the Ginebra fold may well trigger a revamp in the team lineup due to salary cap constraints. Menk will surely ask for a megabuck contract, something which Jun Limpot and Vergel Meneses have got from the team. — Nelson Beltran