MBA WOULD WELCOME TANDUAY
Sta. Cruz, Laguna, July 9, 1998 - Tanduay would be welcome to the Metropolitan Basketball Association, commented commissioner Ramon Fernandez on news that the Rhummakers, newly crowned Yakult-PBL Centennial Cup champions, are considering joining the MBA instead of the PBA.
''Tanduay will definitely be an attraction. Anyway there is no rule yet in the MBA disallowing league newcomers from bringing in majority of their players,'' said Fernandez.
Tanduay big boss Bong Tan reportedly said during the Rhummakers' victory celebrations Monday night that they'd rather join the MBA if the PBA does not grant their request to bring the nucleus of their team to the pro ranks.
A PBA team was allegedly blocking Tanduay's entry.
Tanduay team manager David de Joya said Tuesday he was ''puzzled'' by reports that the Rhummakers are set to forego their PBA application in favor of the MBA, which is sure to undergo expansion next season.
De Joya, who wasn't around when Tan made his pronouncement before a group of sportswriters, said it was entirely the possible that Tan's announcement was taken out of context.
De Joya added: ''We're still confident that negotiations between the PBA and Tanduay would push through. It's a matter of give and take.''
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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