18 January 2016

Price of Barako Sale Dependent on Three Players

Barako For Sale
Rumors are heating up inside the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) Head Office that claims Barako Energy Bulls is up for franchise sale. Barako was allegedly a 'farm team' of the three SMC teams in the league: Barangay Ginebra, San Miguel Beermen and Star Hotshots.

Some reports event went out and claim that the sale was already consummated in favor of Phoenix Petroleum, while other reports suggest that SM Group of Companies are looking into it seriously.

Another company being considered is Hapee of Cecilio Pedro because they were already given provisional approval to enter the PBA next season without discussing the specifics on how they will do that.

However, the only thing that is certain thus far is that, if the team is really on sale, then the first crack at the franchise would go to the figurehead 49 percent owner of the franchise, the Lina conglomerate.

There are information that says Alberto Lina is interested to reacquire the franchise. Note that their governor, Manny Alvarez, is a President of one of Lina's companies.

Before any thoughts are put into the sale though, future buyers should be aware that Barako's RR Garcia was initially reported to be moving to the Star Hotshots to beef up their backcourt. Another option being considered by the Hotshots is to 'reharvest' the late-bloomer Willy Wilson, who, appears to have impressed coach Jason Webb.

Interested companies should not expect much from the roster once the sale is consummated though as this will be decimated, with the SMC teams getting their hands on the plum players first.

Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone is not interested with JC Intal though, so it's unlikely he will wear the Ginebra uniform again unless Cone changes his mind. There are other players whose contracts are expiring at the end of the season, which shouldn't be a source of concern for Barako management since the buying team will simply retain their rights.

Other than those three, no other player in the Barako fold seems marketable enough to be secured by any of the three SMC teams. Barako also lost its own draft pick next season through the Ginebra trade that gave them Emman Monfort, James Forrester and Rodney Brondial so it's not likely that the amount would go up as high as the Air 21 franchise sale that was allegedly worth PhP 100 - 240 Million.

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