PBA show must go on — NBN-4

The National Broadcasting Network Channel 4 reiterated yesterday its commitment to continue covering the PBA games without interruption even as it threatened to seek legal action against partner-financier Summit Sports World Inc. over unpaid financial obligations.

This developed on the eve of the resumption of the Samsung PBA Reinforced Conference after the All Saints’ Day break, featuring Shell and Purefoods in a crucial match at the Araneta Coliseum today.

But the stoppage order on the airing of the games over IBC-13 remains in effect since Malacañang has yet to resolve the IBC board intramurals stemming from its problem over the PBA project.

The good thing was that NBN-4 chairman Mia Concio reiterated they will continue to honor their obligation with the PBA, its legion of fans, advertisers and viewers.

"With or without Summit Sports, we will keep on broadcasting the PBA games. We recognized we’re answerable to the PBA because we’re the one who entered into a deal with them. So, we’ll do anything to keep the coverage without interruption," Concio told The STAR.

But Concio said their deal with the PBA is one thing and their deal with Summit Sports is another.

"We’ve given them (Summit Sports) a deadline to give us at least 50 percent of what they owe us. They’re supposed to answer our letter by Monday. If they fail to give us what we asked nor any indication to make good their promise, we seek legal recourse," said Concio.

Concio said Summit Sports now owes NBN-4 P52 million on shares in the receipts on their PBA project.

"They’re willing to give P8 million as partial fee. Pero sabi namin kulang iyan. At this point, talagang kailangan namin ang pera for our people in this project," said Concio.

The NBN-4 lady chair likewise made a firm commitment to honor their financial obligation to the PBA also with or without Summit Sports.

"We’ve assigned our receivables to the PBA to cover our obligation up to the end of September. Yung October to December, kami na sa NBN ang gagawa ng paraan para dito," said Concio.

The NBN-IBC consortium earned the rights to cover, broadcast and market the PBA in a deal worth P200 million this year. Summit Sports came into the picture as it was taken in by the consortium to put up P90 million as bridge financier of the project.

The problem cropped up as Summit Sports failed to meet its financial obligation to the two networks.

Purefoods seeks to avoid outright elimination as the Hotdogs clash with the Turbochargers today. Sta. Lucia and San Miguel play in a non-bearing duel in the other game.

Red Bull Barako’s Willie Miller and Coca-Cola’s Leo Avenido collide at the start of the semifinal round in the below 6-4 category of the Purefoods-Ginebra King of the Court one-on-one competition.