The Northport Batang Pier franchise is now in talks with a potential buyer ahead of the PBA’s 50th Season opening come October 2025.
A New Captain of the Ship: A Food and Beverage Business
As reported by a local sports outlet, the potential buyer of the Batang Pier franchise is known as “a company in the food and beverage business”.
Sources have also mentioned that they have already submitted a Letter of Intent as well as other needed documents in buying out the current franchise.
More information revealed that the buyer had a long-standing interest in acquiring the team. Northport was previously called “Globalport Batang Pier” when it entered the PBA way back in 2012, and bought the franchise of Powerade Tigers led by their star player, Gary David.
The buyer was also given a choice to either acquire an existing franchise or join the league as an expansion team.
Still Pending…for now
Despite the surprising news, sources say that the league has not fully approved of such a team acquisition just yet.
The Board of Governors has reportedly been notified by PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial about the sale.
And as of writing this story, there is still no formal agreement that has been reached, but league insiders have said that it’s only a matter of time before the request gets a green light.
Signs of Rust in the Ship?
The orangemen of the Batang Pier really had a promising Season 49.
During the Governor’s Cup, they had an awful conference, only finishing 3-6 and failing to make it to the quarterfinals.
However, in the Commissioner’s Cup, they didn’t just qualify for the playoffs, but they got the 1st seed, which was a record for their franchise. With the help of their 6-foot-10 import, Kadeem Jack, they defeated Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals. But in the Semifinals, they were gentleman swept by the crowd darlings, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
However, things went out of hand in the Philippine Cup as they went 2-9 after the eliminations.
Even more horrible news for them is that they lost key players. Arvin Tolentino decided to sign with the Korean ball club, Seol SK Knights. Will Navarro gets traded for Calvin Abueva, Jerrick Balanza, and a second round pick in the 2025 PBA Draft.
Will Navarro then signs with the KCC Egis after playing just one playoff series with the Hotshots and joins fellow teammate Tolentino at the Korean Basketball League.
Their shooters, Allyn Bulanadi and Paolo Taha, were also released this offseason. Bulanadi goes to the MPBL and now plays for the Pangasinan Heat Waves, while Taha signs a 2-Year contract with Magnolia.
With only players left like Joshua Munzon, Jio Jalalon, and sophomore Evan Nellie, the Batang Pier may just have a lot of rust in their ship that must be repaired before the league turns golden year come October.
