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NorthPort in talks for potential sale

Sports | Basketball

NorthPort in talks for potential sale

By Reynald I. Magallon

At A Glance

NorthPort is currently in talks with a prospective buyer for a potential sale of its franchise in the PBA.

NorthPort is currently in talks with a prospective buyer for a potential sale of its franchise in the PBA.

The development was first reported by Spin.PH and was later on confirmed by a source to Manila Bulletin. The same source declined to disclose the identity of the potential buyer although he revealed that a Letter of Intent has already been sent to the PBA office.

Manila Bulletin sought comment from officials of the Batang Pier franchise and the league office, but calls and messages have not been returned as of posting time.

While the news certainly came as a shock, the writings were seemingly on the wall for NorthPort especially after letting go of Arvin Tolentino and allowing him to sign elsewhere, and also trading away William Navarro to Magnolia.

The Batang Pier were coming off a semifinals appearance in the Commissioner's Cup and then spiraled down back to the 11th spot in the season-ending Philippine Cup.

Should the acquisition push through, that would mark the end of the NorthPort franchise's 13-year stint in the PBA which began when the Sultan 900 Capital acquired the franchise of the Powerade Tigers back in 2012.

The team only reached as far as the semifinals thrice in its franchise history.

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