Starhorse's PBA bid falls out, but Terrafirma franchise still up for grabs

Starhorse called off its supposed takeover of Terrafirma, but three companies are waiting in the wings. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MUNTINLUPA--Starhorse's bid to enter the PBA hit a crucial snag as the shipping company called off its supposed takeover of the Terrafirma franchise.

Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed on Thursday that Starhorse, which currently bankrolls the Basilan Viva Portmasters in the MPBL, failed to comply on some requirements to the PBA and Terrafirma.

Starhorse announced last February an early agreement with Terrafirma to buy the franchise, and Marcial previously said that they were to tackle the team ownership transfer in a March PBA board meeting.

However, as April nears its end, the pace of the sale suddenly went slow, and inside stories reached Dugout Philippines earlier this month that Starhorse could let go of its PBA bid.

Despite the fallout, the Dyip could still end up with a different owner by next season as Marcial revealed that three groups are interested in buying the franchise.

The commissioner did not divulge the identities of the companies looking to enter the PBA through the Terrafirma route, but he said that officials from the said companies inquired about the franchise sale at the league's office in Quezon City and two of them submitted letters of intent.

At least one official from an interested party was said to have seen watching a Dyip game earlier in the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup, but it remains unknown if the group is among the three seriously pursuing the franchise.

Amid an uncertain future, Terrafirma looked poised to have possibly a decent goodbye to the PBA after opening the conference with a stunner against Phoenix.

However, the Dyip lost three straight games since then, including an 80-101 blowout against Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday night.

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