by Lou Reyes
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| PBA team NorthPort Batang Pier is reportedly for sale. Photo: Facebook. |
The future of the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA is now in question, as a food and beverage company has formally expressed interest in acquiring the franchise.
According to multiple league sources, the prospective buyer has already submitted a Letter of Intent and the necessary documents to finalize the purchase of the team owned by Manila North Harbour Port, Inc. PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial reportedly had already informed the Board of Governors about the potential transfer.
The group was given the option of entering the league as an expansion team or taking over an existing ballclub. Reports indicate, however, that its preference has always been NorthPort, a franchise originally acquired in 2012 when Mikee Romero’s Sultan 900 Capital bought the Powerade Tigers.
#ICYMI: The development was first reported by https://t.co/SXC8QNmjxc and was later on confirmed by a source to Manila Bulletin. The same source declined to disclose the identity of the potential buyer... | #PBAAngatAngLaban @reyn__rain @manilabulletin https://t.co/ZrdpB53DTq
— Manila Bulletin Sports (@mbsportsonline) August 21, 2025
While a formal deal has yet to be sealed, insiders suggest approval is only a matter of time. The news comes as a surprise, given that NorthPort had not been linked to sale talks, unlike Terrafirma, which openly entertained offers from Starhorse Shipping and the Zamboanga Valientes but failed to close a deal.
NorthPort officials have not yet issued a statement regarding the development.
Signs of instability within the Batang Pier emerged in the PBA’s 49th season. After topping the eliminations and reaching the semifinals of the Commissioner’s Cup, the team crashed out of playoff contention in the Philippine Cup. Key departures soon followed: Arvin Tolentino left mid-season for the Korean Basketball League, while William Navarro was traded to Magnolia in exchange for Calvin Abueva and Jerick Balanza. The team later parted ways with Allyn Bulanadi, who joined Pangasinan in the MPBL, and Paolo Taha, who signed with Magnolia.
Despite the turnover, NorthPort still has a competitive core. Abueva now leads a roster that also features Joshua Munzon, Jio Jalalon, Cade Flores, Fran Yu, Evan Nelle, Sidney Onwubere, James Kwekuteye, Damie Cuntapay, Avan Nava, and Balanza.
If the sale pushes through, the PBA’s 50th season could mark the entry of a new corporate player in the league—one that may steer the Batang Pier in a new direction.