PBA EXPANDING, ASIA BREWERY ACCEPTED SOON

Manila, May 13, 2010 - The Philippine Basketball Association is expanding next year with the acceptance of at least one team into its roster, while five other applicants await in the wings.
Sports circles buzz with the news that Asia Brewery has been accepted and that the franchise fee, to be settled soon, will run to a maximum of P30 million.
Thee team has reportedly asked for permission to bring in five players from the Tanduay Rhum team currently competing in the Philippine Centennial Cup, but the PBA Board of Governors is inclined to require Tanduay too go through the draft and the expansion pool.
Under the proposal, the current 8 member teams will protect nine players and leave three in the expansion pool from which Tanduay will make its selection. Such a set-up would not allow Tanduay to form a highly competitive team on its maiden year, when it could expect to be the league's cellar dweller.
There is a possibility that the PBA will accept a second expansion franchise this year, to be chosen from among the following applicants: Red Bull, Chowking, Gilbey's Gin, Caltex and a shoe manufacturer from Korea.
The PBA last expanded in 1990, when it accepted Pop Cola and Pepsi Mega (now Mobiline), increasing its membership to the present eight.
Tanduay was a founding member of the PBA when it was still owned by the Elizalde Group, and won three championships before disbanding in 1987.