NEGOTIATIONS FAIL, MBA DEAD AGAIN
Manila, Aug. 8, 1998 - Efforts to save the Metropolitan Basketball Association failed yesterday morning, effectively ending the negotiation for a compromise agreement that would have rescued the financially-troubled basketball league from total collapse.
Representatives of 12 teams owners that comprise the MBA and Metroball, the managing outfit that put them all together, worked till dawn Thursday but found no common ground to continue the partnership.
Metroball, however, is binding the teams to a league rule that could force the teams to continue playing by threatening them with a P500,000 fine for not showing up in a scheduled game.
Two games are scheduled tomorrow in San Fernando, Pampanga pitting the province's Dragons against the Socsargen Marlins and the Manila Metrostars against the Pangasinan Presidents. But after Thursday's unproductive negotiation, only Metroball representatives are expected to show up.
With both sides going separate ways, it is expected both will see each other in court, thus further diminishing any chance the MBA will survive its inaugural season. Team owners said they will put up their own league with the backing of the powerful broadcast giant, ABS-CBN. They hope to start playing in three weeks.
Both sides did not tried to save the league. MBA commissioner Ramon Fernandez tried to mediate between Metroball president Rene Olbes and Laguna team owner Bert Lina but a buyout that could have prevented the expected legal fireworks failed to materialize
The teams' spokesman, Alex Orbos, later issued this statement:
"We therefore have to go on. We cannot compromise the interests of our teams, our league, and most especially our fans and audiences all for the self-serving interest of a few individuals, We have acted in good faith with no intention, whatsoever, to harm no one. We therefore are finally parting ways, closing a final chapter to a painful but necessary experience.
"We are moving forward, guided by the vision to pursue the grassroots development of basketball. We believe we are in the right. It may be a long, hard climb. But from the ashes shall rise a phoenix. A new league shall be both and shall be expected to grow. We shall overcome."
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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