Barako Bull opts to leave PBA

MANILA, Philippines - The Barako Bull ball club has informed the Philippine Basketball Association of its intention to fold up whether the league board approves or disapproves its plan to sell its franchise to Phoenix Fuel.

The Energy Food and Drink Inc. management said it’s not going to reactivate its team in the third conference since it is shifting its business strategy.

EFD officials admitted it would be difficult for them to continue maintaining a ballclub at the moment while locked in a legal battle with their main principal TC Pharmaceuticals Industries Co., manufacturer of Red Bull in Thailand.

They also cited as reason the loss of their basketball main man Tony Chua who died at the height of typhoon “Ondoy” last year.

PBA commissioner Chito Salud said Barako Bull is now seeking the league board’s approval of its exit and the sale of its franchise to Phoenix Fuel. This is up for discussion in the next board meeting once again rescheduled next week.

The matter would be easily resolved if the board approves the Barako Bull-Phoenix deal, paving the way for Phoenix’s simple takeover of the Barako team.

It becomes a major issue should Phoenix’s entry bid is nixed.

San Miguel Corp., which owns three ball clubs in San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and B-MEG Derby Ace, is likely to vote against Phoenix’s entry since it’s a direct business competitor of Petron, which it intends to field in place of San Miguel in the third conference.

Should the board disapprove the franchise sale, it then tackles Barako’s membership status.

Barako has earlier made a commitment to return in the third conference after taking a leave of absence in the Commissioner’s Cup to give way to Smart Gilas.

Under the league by-laws, a team can’t leave the league without the proper advanced notice.

With this to consider, Barako faces the worst scenario of losing its franchise or the rights to sell it. Barako, however, is likely to fight for it.

Speculations now abound with this matter up in the air.

If the Phoenix entry is disapproved, a big possibility would be the board allowing Barako to extend its inactive status. In this case, Barako gets more time to find another buyer.

Apparently, this privilege was also accorded Shell before it eventually folded up in 2005.

Meanwhile, San Miguel, in the cellar with a 1-5 win-loss card, is now looking to tap in former Sacramento State stalwart Jason Davis in a bid to salvage its playoff hopes in the Commissioner’s Cup.

Prior to his stint with the Hornets, Davis starred for Allan Hancock Junior College then Longwood University.

At Allan Hancock in the 2004-05 season, Davis was a first team all-state, first team all-Western State Conference North selection and team best averaging 17.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.4 blocked shots per game.