Paint Masters owners not keen on a PBA franchise

The news of a possible expansion in the Philippine Basketball Association is out but Welcoat Paints is not biting.

Welcoat team owners Terry Que and Raymond Yu said they are not interested in acquiring a PBA franchise at the moment since they are satisfied with the way things are in the Philippine Basketball League.

"We are very happy here in the PBL," Que and Yu told The STAR minutes after the Paint Masters swept the Dazz Grease Busters Monday in three games for the PBL Challenge Cup crown – the team’s fifth title. ‘We’re not thinking about it (PBA franchise) at the moment.

"All we’re thinking about right now is how to keep a team as competitive, if not stronger, as this one although we’re not discounting that possibility," added the dynamic duo behind Welcoat’s success.

Welcoat, alongside Red Bull, made a bid to join the PBA as expansion ballclubs in 1999. But while Red Bull was accepted, Welcoat bid was put on hold.

A year’s wait didn’t bear fruit for Welcoat though as the PBA decided not to add another squad in 2000.

"We were promised a franchise in year 2000 after Red Bull got in the year before, but to our surprise, the PBA decided not to accept another team so we’re really disappointed," said Que.

"So simula noon, hindi na kami nag-ambisyon pa na makapasok sa PBA dahil masama nga ang loob namin sa nangyari," he added.

But if the PBA approaches them, Yu said they might change their mind.

"If they approach us we might sit down and talk about it so it will really depend on the PBA," said Yu.

Like Welcoat, PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy, president of DSS Productmakers, Inc. which owns Blu All Purpose, is also not interested.

"The timing is off right now to move to the PBA," said Sy, whose Detergent Kings trounced the LBC Blades for third place. "We’re okay here in the PBL because we’re getting the ample amount of exposure the company wants."

Que and Yu’s main concern right now is how to fill the void left by the amazing trio of Romel Adducul, Eddie Laure and Ronald Tubid.

Adducul, MVP of the Challenge Cup and the finals, Laure and Tubid have all secured multi-million deals in the PBA, leaving a big hole in Leo Austria’s rotation.

"We are still celebrating this victory," said Austria. "Maybe in a few days, we’ll sit with management and talk about the problem."

With Adducul, Laure and Tubid out, Paul Artadi, Ariel Capus, Marc Pingris, Dennis Miranda, Calijohn Orfrecio and Marc Cua will have to pick up the slack next season starting in March.

Austria hinted they may get players from the collegiate ranks and the PBA free agent pool to fill in the void left by Adducul, Laure and Tubid.