PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial. PBA Images/file
MANILA – PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial said the sale of the NorthPort Batang Pier to Pureblends Corporation is "set to be completed in the next few days."
Marcial bared the development on the first day of PBA Media Day on Thursday.
"Alam ko ano eh, by this week. Bago mag-Monday. Halos done deal na eh. 'Yung mga papeles na lang. Halos done deal na 'yun. By Monday alam ko tapos na 'yan eh, papers na lang pinag-uusapan," he said.
Ahead of the league's golden season, the NorthPort franchise was reportedly sold for P90 million to Pureblends.
Marcial said among the remaining requirements to complete the formal sale include financial documents.
"Financials na lang, pirmahan, saka deed of sale. Mga nitty-gritty na lang na legal na lang nila may kailangan. Pero sa atin, mukhang okay na sa atin," he shared.
READ: PBA: Pureblends’ acquisition of NorthPort franchise ‘still under review’
Pureblends Corporation is set to take over the reins of the Batang Pier franchise, which entered the PBA in 2012.
Marcial said fans can expect NorthPort players to bear a new team name on their jerseys come opening day of the PBA Season 50 Philippines Cup next month.
But during the PBA Media Day, NorthPort players including new head coach Johnedel Cardel donned all white.
Cardel said the new team management, including listed Pureblends owner Bryan Calantoc, is very supportive.
"Hindi ko alam naging kakampi ko pala siya sa liga namin. Siguro kaya naalala niya ako kasi napapasahan ko siya. Nagulat ako, sabi ko, 'boss Bryan, thank you for giving me a chance to handle the new team,'" he shared.
"Basta pasensiya lang muna. This is a new team, siyempre parang bago lang ito, rebuild. Siyempre may mga coaches naman ako. Coach Bonnie [Tan] is our active governor, tutulungan naman niya ako," Cardel added.
After a year of being away, Cardel will be calling the shots for the Batang Pier in the PBA's 50th season. He said he will lean on veteran players like Calvin Abueva, Joshua Munzon and Cade Flores in its core.
NorthPort signed rookies Chris Koon and Mario Barasi, while also tapping Von Pessumal and Jeo Ambohot.