Terrafirma Sale to Starhorse Falls Through, But Hope Remains for a New PBA Franchise Owner
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed on Thursday that the anticipated sale of the Terrafirma Dyip franchise to Starhorse Shipping Lines will no longer push through — a development that has disappointed many fans hopeful for change. However, there remains a silver lining: three new parties are now in talks to take over the struggling team.
The deal with Starhorse, which had been brewing since February, ultimately collapsed after the group failed to meet several of the PBA’s requirements, most notably on the financial side.
“Hindi sila [Starhorse] nakapag-comply on some requirements, especially doon sa financial side ng deal,” Marcial told SPIN.ph.
In addition, there were other "unmet requirements" in the separate negotiations directly involving Starhorse and Terrafirma officials, further complicating the transaction.
All Eyes Now on New Bidders
Despite the collapse of the Starhorse deal, Commissioner Marcial assured that the PBA is already moving forward. According to him, three interested buyers are now in the mix, with two of them having formally submitted Letters of Intent to the league.
“Nagpunta na sa opisina ang mga 'yan,” Marcial said, while respectfully keeping the identities of the interested companies confidential.
This quick pivot from the league demonstrates a strong willingness to revive and rejuvenate the franchise, which has long been criticized for its lack of competitiveness and for its role in lopsided player trades that many fans believe hurt league parity.
A Bitter Disappointment, But a New Hope
There's no sugarcoating the letdown — the collapse of the Starhorse sale is unfortunate, especially after months of anticipation. The shipping company had shown early promise and seemed to offer a fresh start for a franchise badly in need of direction. Many saw the deal as a potential turning point, one that could inject much-needed competitiveness and credibility into the league.
Still, all is not lost.
What truly matters now is that a sale of the franchise still appears imminent. With three legitimate buyers on the table, PBA fans can remain hopeful that the league will soon welcome a new — and hopefully independent — team owner. One that can rebuild the franchise not just as a competitive squad, but as a genuine participant in the league’s future growth.
For a league celebrating its 50th season, there is no better gift than seeing farm teams replaced by ambitious new blood. Let’s hope that change arrives soon.
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