MANILA, Philippines-Pureblends Corporation said it has all the intentions of putting up a competitive roster in due time for its PBA team that will be known as the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.
Team governor Emil Tiu admitted that Titan Ultra will be up for a tough task ahead of the upcoming season, but plans to build from what it can gain once it treads the difficult waters of the PBA. ‘We know we are a new team and you can’t be a champion team in one year,’ Tiu said during Wednesday’s press conference at Shangri-La The Fort in Bonifacio Global City. ‘But we will look to develop good players within two to three years.’
Titan Ultra does have a solid core led by veteran Calvin Abueva, Joshua Munzon, Cade Flores and Von Pessumal, while also having Ateneo product Chris Koon, taken fourth in the Draft when NorthPort had to take part in the Rookie Draft while the sale was pending approval.
Former Terrafirma coach Johnedel Cardel returns to the sidelines to call the shots for Titan Ultra’s rookie campaign.
The Giant Risers were officially welcomed into the PBA fold during the press conference, a month after Pureblends agreed to purchase NorthPort’s basketball assets for a reported P90 million.
The team was still called NorthPort during tune-up matches, while its players had to wear white shirts during Media Day activities as the Pureblends purchase had yet to be approved.
‘It was approved during the annual meeting [in Las Vegas], they just had to complete some documentary requirements,’ explained league treasurer and Phoenix team governor Raymond Zorrilla.
‘But between NorthPort and Pureblends, they had to agree within themselves. We just needed formality,’ added Zorrilla.
Meanwhile, Titan Ultra is set to make its first official deal with guard James Kwekuteye set to be traded to Phoenix for center Ato Ular.