There’s officially a new PBA team.
The Titan Ultra Giant Risers will be debuting in the PBA Season 50, after the league’s board of governors approved Pureblends Corporation’s purchase of the NorthPort Batang Pier franchise.
‘They will be entering the 50th season of the PBA, and their team will now be known as ‘Titan Ultra’ team,’ PBA board treasurer Raymond Zorrilla said during the pre-season press conference Wednesday at Shangri-La The Fort in Taguig.
Giant Risers team governor Emilio Tiu said they have a roster that can compete against stronger teams.
‘We waited for this event at mga taon, tinaymingan namin yung 50 years because ibang klase itong 50 years sa PBA. And we expected na when we join, we will learn so many things and we can also expand together with PBA,’ Tiu said.
‘For the composition of the team, I have to admit that we are still young, but we have a complete lineup. We will give the strong teams fight without saying ‘kuya.’ Kami, lalaban din kami,’ he added.
The Titan Ultra squad will be coached by Jhonedel Cardel. Former NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan is a consultant, while Rensy Bajar, Raymund Tiongco, Lester Alvarez, Maverick Chua and Raymond Valenzona are the assistant coaches.
Veterans Calvin Abueva and Joshua Munzon will spearhead the Giant Risers, along with young guns Cade Flores, Fran Yu, Mario Barasi and Chris Koon.
Meanwhile, the PBA announced that former NorthPort team manager Pido Jarencio is the new governor of the Terrafirma Dyip.