Latest news with #Zamboangueño
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Terrafirma stays as talks of franchise sale with Valientes bogged down, says PBA
The Terrafirma Dyip will continue to play in the PBA after talks regarding the sale of its franchise to Zamboanga Valientes bogged down. League commissioner Willie Marcial and corporate secretary Ogie Narvasa announced the development on Friday. "Regarding doon sa Terrafirma-Valientes negotiation, nag-bog down. Hindi nag-materialize ang deal nung dalawa," Marcial said. "Ang Terrafirma ay patuloy pa ring sasali sa atin. Twelve teams pa rin tayo sa 50th [season]." TERRAFIRMA STAYS IN THE PBA PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and Corporate Secretary Ogie Narvasa said the talks between Terrafirma and Zamboanga Valientes bogged down and the Dyip will remain for the 50th season. @gmasportsph — JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) July 18, 2025 Last April, Valientes said a deal regarding the Terrafirma franchise acquisition was about to happen. Months after, however, the agreement did not push through. "Lumabas there were terms and requirements for both teams, hindi nag-meet," Narvasa said. "It's a mutual decision not to pursue the sale of the purchase." The league said Terrafirma is now planning on retooling their lineup for the upcoming season. "Nu'ng meeting, sinabi ni [Terrafirma] Governor Bobby [Rosales] na they have plans already. They have plans to beef up their lineup," Narvasa said. The league added that Terrafirma, at the moment, is not for sale and no other franchises are looking for prospective buyers. "May mga nagbigay sa akin ng intention na gusto sumali na international teams. Tingnan natin, pero nagbigay na ng letter of intent. Kung magkakasundo naman tayo, kung magkakasundo kami, baka sakali may guest team." Valientes previously said owning a PBA team was part of their goal to showcase Zamboangueño talent. The last time the PBA welcomed another company in the league was in 2022 when it took over the Alaska franchise. —JKC, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
19-06-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
Young Negrense cager selected for NBA, FIBA's BWB Camp
Talisay City born Paul Barcelona is among the 60 elite boys and girls below 17 years old from the Asia Pacific Region selected to take part in the 15th Basketball Without Borders Asia Camp slated from June 19 to 22 in Singapore. Fresh off a silver medal finish in secondary basketball in the 2025, Barcelona will step into another momentous milestone in his young career. 'Playing for Palarong Pambansa 2025 representing Region 6 was a very significant experience for me. And now, to be able to be chosen to represent once more in a very prestigious sporting event is another significant milestone and I'm truly honored and grateful for this big opportunity,' Barcelona told GMA Regional TV News. 'This will surely enhance and develop my skills in the game and will create a wider chance for me to grow my love for basketball,' he added. The BWB camp is an NBA and FIBA's global basketball development and community outreach program where campers will take part in life-skills, leadership development and social responsibility programming. Campers will have an opportunity to learn directly from current and former FIBA, NBA, and WNBA players and coaches. Among them are 2024 NBA champion Derrick White of the Boston Celtics and 2024 NBA All-Star Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers. 'I hope that I can make my school Bacolod Taytung High School, my hometown Negros Occidental, and my country Philippines proud,' he remarked. In 2018, Zamboangueño Forthsky Padrigao won the MVP honors during the 10th edition of the camp. Barcelona is no stranger to international camps. Back in 2022, he alongside three other Filipinos, were selected to take part in the Jr. NBA Asia in Tokyo, Japan. The 6-foot-1 athlete was exposed to basketball at a young age through the influence of his father, Pete. 'It has been my first toy as a baby and a toddler, and growing up I saw my father enjoying watching basketball on television and eventually, he started to bring me to basketball courts for training with him and then it continued as I started with kinder school where I began basketball clinics at age 5,' Barcelona said. Barcelona shared that he patterned his game after that of his idol, Escalante native and basketball star James Yap. 'I really like the way he moves on the court. He makes the games look easier because his moves are simple yet effective,' he noted about the former national team player. On the other hand, being surrounded by household name coaches in Bacolod City in Ryan Hugnatan, Nico Lopingco, and Atoy Callora kept him grounded and helped him grow as a player on and off the court. 'My biggest dream in life is to achieve a combination of being a successful basketball player and at the same time achieve academic success,' Barcelona said. 'My love and passion for basketball has provided a huge positive impact on my personal development, and hopefully with God's help, I will be able to balance both of my dreams to make it a reality,' he added.
