PBA Eyes New Team as Fans Call for Independent Franchise Like Converge or Rain or Shine
There may be hope on the horizon for PBA fans eager to see a fresh, independent team enter the league. Commissioner Willie Marcial confirmed that at least three companies have expressed serious interest in acquiring a PBA franchise, with two of them already submitting Letters of Intent (LOI) and personally visiting the league office.
While Marcial declined to name the interested firms, the timing is significant. The development follows the collapse of the proposed sale of the Terrafirma Dyip to Starhorse Shipping Lines, a deal that ultimately fell apart after the latter failed to meet key financial requirements.
With the Dyip’s franchise once again in limbo, the league is actively seeking a reliable and capable group to take over — and PBA fans are hoping it’s not just another sister team.
The clamor across social media is clear: fans are calling for a truly independent franchise, one that can follow in the footsteps of Rain or Shine, Converge, or even Alaska — teams known for building competitive rosters, investing in homegrown talent, and standing toe-to-toe with the league’s corporate giants.
The recent struggles of franchises like Terrafirma and the decline of other smaller-market teams have reignited conversations about competitive balance in the PBA. With most titles in the past two decades dominated by the SMC and MVP groups, many believe the league would greatly benefit from a strong, independent team willing to challenge the status quo.
The PBA is clearly moving with urgency. Commissioner Marcial assured that the league is vetting the potential buyers thoroughly to ensure any future transaction is both financially stable and beneficial to the long-term growth of the league.
For fans, the dream is simple: a team that won’t just fill a slot — but one that can compete, inspire, and build a real identity outside the shadow of conglomerates. Whether one of these three new suitors can live up to that hope remains to be seen, but the chance is finally here.
What kind of identity do you think this new team should have — gritty and underdog like Rain or Shine, or tech-savvy and aggressive like Converge?
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