Shell takes leave of absence

Shell went through the formality of putting a closure to a 20-year involvement with the Philippine Basketball Association highlighted by four championships in the 1990s as it took a leave of absence yesterday.

The giant oil company announced the decision during the league board of governors meeting after its deal with Harbour Centre for a franchise take- over bogged down Monday night.

However, the leave of absence could well lead to the team’s eventual exit from the league with Shell officials to pursue franchise sale with prospective buyers.

Shell, which took over Crispa in 1985, reportedly offered its franchise to Harbour Centre for P45 million. Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero countered with a P25-million proposal.

"After 20 years with the PBA, we feel that we have contributed to the development of the league. Now, we’re more geared toward sustainable developments, meaning we’ll focus our resources on our other programs," said Shell governor and team manager Bobby Kanapi.

Before applying for a leave of absence, Shell exercised one of its rights as a legitimate member of the league by dealing key players Rich Alvarez and Tony dela Cruz to Alaska Milk in exchange for Rob Duat and Eugene Tejada.

Shell has also agreed to trade Billy Mamaril to Coca-Cola for Gilbert Lao and Ronald Tubid to FedEx for Jerry Codiñera.

Once Shell’s leave of absence takes effect by Thursday or Friday, the Commissioner’s Office gets the responsibility and the authority to disperse the Shell players to the other teams.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said they would conduct a dispersal draft.

Taking into account Shell’s move for a leave of absence, the Commissioner’s Office later presented a tournament format involving just nine teams. It was approved by the board.

The 2005-06 season kicks off with the import-laced tournament in October. The height limit for the imports is 6-foot-6.

The format is basically the same as the previous tournament where the competing teams play double round robin in the classification phase with the top two teams automatically advancing in the semis and the rest figuring in the wildcard plays.

In the same meeting, Eala welcomed a performance check by the board.

"I really welcome an evaluation on my performance. What I question is (some board members) discussing it in the media," said Eala.

"Chairman Ely Capacio said it would be a developmental and constructive and now a destructive and critical exercise," Eala added.