PBA stint next big thing for RP Patriots owner

MANILA, Philippines - With no less than 10 championships in the local and international scenes, Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero still yearns to achieve one big dream – his team playing and winning a crown in the Philippine Basketball Association.

“I still believe it will happen someday,” said Romero, looking for that ultimate glory after having savored triumphs in the PBL, the SEABA, the SEA Games and most recently the Asean Basketball League (ABL).

“I will wait for the right opportunity. Who knows, there’ll be a team that will sell its franchise for a good price. Or the league opens for expansion,” Romero also said.

“But I won’t enter in a tie-up anymore. It’s hard,” added Romero, recalling his first attempt to join the PBA in partnership with the Lina Group of Companies.

After the plan to take over the Air21 team didn’t push through, Romero played one more tournament in the PBL, nailing a seventh straight championship with Oracle Residences.

Then came his big jump to the ABL with his Philippine Patriots, co-owned by Tonyboy Cojuangco, ruling the league’s maiden tourney.

Romero and the members of the team fly to Kuala Lumpur next week to receive their championship rings.

“It’s so satisfying. I’m blessed with hardworking players and coaching staff. With their hard work came these 10 championships,” said Romero.

In beating Indonesia’s SM Britama team for the ABL championship, the Patriots gained outright seeding in the 2010 FIBA Asia Champions Cup slated in Lebanon in May.

Smart Gilas, the team being prepared for the Asian Olympic qualifier next year, vies for a slot in the Asian Champions Cup as it competes in the SEABA qualifying tourney.

“It’s a good opportunity to play Smart Gilas in the Champions Cup,” said Romero, who’s hoping to sign up University of the East prolific guard Paul Lee to beef up his team for the Champs Cup.

A big question is whether import Gabe Freeman would be available to play for the team in that tourney. Freeman is set to return with the San Miguel squad in the forthcoming PBA Fiesta Conference.

The other Patriots import is former Coca-Cola reinforcement Jason Dixon.

Among coach Louie Alas’ key local players are Rob Wainwright, Nonoy Baclao, Elmer Espiritu, Jerwin Gaco, Warren Ybanez and Christian Coronel.