Meralco to acquire Sta. Lucia franchise

THE Manila Electric Co. is in the final stages of negotiations to acquire the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise and will join the Philippine Basketball Association when the new season opens in October.

An official announcement on the return of Meralco to the PBA, expected to give the pro league a shot-in-the arm in the wake of dwindling attendance and poor TV ratings, except when the more popular teams such as Barangay Ginebra, Purefoods and San Miguel Beer play are playing, is expected to be made before the ongoing Fiesta Conference semifinals.

Sta. Lucia Realty team manager Buddy Encarnado, who has been one of the most passionate supporters of basketball for decades and was involved with the national team years ago, will remain with the sport, following plans to appoint him as Commissioner of the PBA's planned Developmental League (D League).

Meralco was one of the pioneers of the now defunct Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association, which disbanded in 1975 after an exodus by team owners, who formed the PBA with the late Leo Prieto as its first Commissioner.

The first public indication of Meralco's interest to return to the PBA came after businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan acquired majority ownership of Meralco and its chairman Manuel Lopez told the company's annual stockholders meeting that the country's largest power distribution firm planned on forming a team that would compete in the pro league.

"There are plans. We are negotiating to acquire a basketball team. It is in a delicate stage, it's still in its very raw stage, but definitely there is interest," Lopez was quoted as saying.

That interest has apparently been given substance, with Meralco assuming the place of Sta. Lucia Realty and providing a touch of nostalgia and competitive spirit to the PBA.

"There would be no pass through with the purchase of a basketball team, there would be no burden to the consumers. It will be absorbed by the shareholders," Lopez added.

The Meralco team was disbanded in 1971 after its players Robert Jaworski and Big Boy Reynoso mauled referees Dr. Ting Cruz and Jose Obias, alleging that they willfully disadvantaged Meralco and favored Crispa.

Jaworski and Reynoso were banned for life but after some years the ban was lifted. - www.manilastandardtoday.com