Harbour Centre forms foundation for poor

MANILA, Philippines - From winning PBL titles to building a foundation for the poor.

This is the road Harbour Centre’s Batang Pier is set to take following the “retirement” of the basketball team that recently won an unprecedented sixth straight championship in the Philippine Basketball League.

Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero said he wants the Batang Pier Legacy to continue, starting off with P10 million in seed money for the foundation that is expected to help from 200 to 500 children.

Romero said the foundation will be constructed somewhere in Cavite. Ruby Paurom will serve as its director.

“I announce the formal retirement of the Harbour Centre basketball team. And again, the Batang Pier jersey will never be worn again in the court,” he told the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Avenue.

“But Batang Pier will not die in vain. Instead, it will be turned into a foundation, the Batang Pier Foundation. It’s like an orphanage and we’re looking at around 200 to 500 kids,” he added.

“This will be the legacy of the Harbour Centre basketball team.”

Paurom said the foundation will help the under-privileged children, “help develop their skills and qualities and self-improvement.”

In the same forum, Romero announced that Prime Estate Realty, owned by his brother, Nicky, will take over the Harbour Centre franchise. George Gallent and Glenn Capacio will call the shots.

Romero has been named alternate governor of Burger King, now the newest team in the Philippine Basketball Association. They will have the energetic Yeng Guiao as coach and Eric Arejola as team manager.

Joining Romero in the forum were Prime Estate Realty team manager Albert Tirona, players Mark Barroca and Benedict Fernandez, Gallent and Arejola.

“It’s not easy going up the PBA ladder. With Burger King, making it to the semis should be a good start. We have a two-year plan to turn this team into championship caliber,” he said.

“Winning six straight championships in the PBL doesn’t mean anything in the PBA. Winning one PBA title is difficult but what we can assure everyone is that we will make it difficult for each team we face.”

“Of course, winning the championship will always be our goal,” Arejola added. – Abac Cordero