NorthPort will still participate in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Rookie Draft on Sunday, September 7, as the league continues to review Pureblends Corporation’s bid to acquire the franchise, with a final decision expected before the PBA’s 50th season opens on October 5.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed after Wednesday’s board meeting that NorthPort will retain draft rights for now, holding the fourth overall pick in the annual event. A total of 128 applicants are set to showcase their skills in a two-day combine beginning Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
Officials of Pureblends attended the meeting and formalized their intent to join the league by submitting a letter of intent. The review committee will examine the company’s qualifications before submitting its recommendation to the PBA board, which must secure a two-thirds majority vote to approve the sale.
Pureblends, a food manufacturer best known for its baking mixes, has previously sponsored basketball teams and other sports ventures. It currently supports the Ho Chi Minh City Wings of the Vietnam Basketball Association and the Philippines Football League’s Mendiola FC 1991, which now carries the name Valenzuela PB Mendiola.
The company is led by Bryann Calantoc, a University of Santo Tomas graduate and former Xavier School player who is known to be close to NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan. Sources added that a former PBA player was also part of the negotiation process, though his future role remains unclear if the takeover pushes through.
