PBL sees 11 teams in season opener; Sunkist takes leave

If things work out, the Philippine Basketball League will have a total of 11 teams in its season-opening first conference tentatively set on March 22.

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad made this announcement after two ballclubs, one from Cebu and the other a returnee, have shown interest in fielding in a squad in the 21-year-old amateur league.

Cebu-based General Milling Corp. makers of GMC Tortillos and other snack food products, have already communicated to the PBL its intention of joining while Ateneo, champion of the 2002 Chairman’s Cup, has plans of returning after a one-conference absence.

"The ideal number is 10 teams so there is a possibility that we may add one in General Milling Corp.," Trinidad told The STAR.

"As far as Ateneo is concerned, we have given them until the second week of this month to decide if they want to field a team in the first conference," he added.

As of last count, there are nine ballclubs on the PBL list in holdovers — recently-crowned Challenge Cup titlist Welcoat Paints, Blu All Purpose, Dazz Dishwashing Liquid, LBC Batangas, ICTSI La Salle, Montana Pawnshop and John-O and two new clubs.

Cosmos Bottling Corp., which was acquired by San Miguel Corp. last year, is a signature away from sealing a pact with the PBL while Nutrilicious has already bought the franchise of Jessie Chua’s Cheeseball-Shark.

Meanwhile, Sunkist-Pampanga yesterday announced its decision to take a leave of absence from the PBL in the coming season.

Team manager Elmer Yanga, in his letter to Trinidad, pointed out current business conditions, plans and budget availability as the reason behind the decision of the RFM Food Corp. franchise owned by Jose Concepcion III.

"Much as we would like to continue our participation to the league now as a regular member, current business conditions, plans and budget availability will not allow is to make such move at the moment," he said.

Yanga congratulated Trinidad and his staff for the very successful and well-attended championship series between Welcoat and Dazz, and likewise extended his appreciation for all the support the league has given the said franchise in the PBL Challenge Cup.