RUMOR MILL: Longtime PBA Franchise Owner Faces Family Pressure to Sell—Fans Point to Two Likely Candidates
A behind-the-scenes debate is reportedly taking place within the family of a well-known PBA team owner, centering on the future of their franchise in Asia’s oldest professional basketball league. According to a source close to the situation, the children of the franchise owner want the team sold, while the family patriarch remains reluctant due to his deep emotional ties to the game.
“Yung mga anak ang ayaw na talaga. Pero yung tatay siyempre ayaw (umalis),” said the source in an interview with SPIN.ph.
The unnamed team owner is described as a lifelong basketball fan who has poured resources into his squad for years, even if his team hasn’t been a consistent title contender. While the franchise has not regularly competed for championships, it has won a handful of titles in the past and holds a respectable legacy in the league.
According to the same source, the family is also involved in other business ventures, and the children feel that continuing to operate a basketball team may no longer be worth the financial and emotional investment. However, the elder family figure sees the team as more than just a business—it's a passion. There are concerns that selling the team could negatively impact his well-being, given how closely he identifies with the sport.
Adding intrigue to the situation is the source’s mention that the family also supports other sports programs in the Philippines, further proving their long-standing commitment to athletics.
Who Could It Be?
While the identity of the franchise is being kept under wraps for now, PBA fans are already speculating, and two names have emerged as the top suspects:
🟥 Blackwater Bossing
The Bossing franchise, owned by Ever Bilena CEO Dioceldo Sy, has long been the subject of fan chatter about possible sale rumors. While Sy has consistently denied such talk, Blackwater has struggled mightily in recent seasons and is often accused by fans of being a “farm team” due to its many lopsided trades.
With a limited fan base, no recent playoff success, and whispers of management fatigue, Blackwater fits the profile of a team whose future could be in flux—especially if the next generation within the ownership is ready to move on.
🟦 One of the SMC Franchises?
Another possibility being floated is that one of the San Miguel Corporation (SMC) teams—San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, or Magnolia—might be the franchise in question. While SMC itself remains highly committed to the PBA, there’s speculation that if the team owner referred to is a figure with personal authority and legacy within SMC, a generational rift could spark this kind of internal debate.
Though less likely due to SMC’s organizational strength and championship pedigree, fans haven’t ruled it out, especially as SMC has become a topic of discussion in trade controversies and league dynamics.
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