Jeffrey Cariaso bares 'deep talks' of Alaska, potential new owner for franchise takeover

Alaska is already talking with a potential buyer of its PBA franchise. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The PBA franchise the Alaska Milk Corporation will be relinquishing might have its new owner in no time.

Coach Jeffrey Cariaso revealed on Saturday night that there is an ongoing negotiation between Alaska and a prospective buyer for the Aces franchise.

"I know there are deep talks with a certain company," Cariaso said, although he did not reveal the company looking to take over the team ownership.

The latest information about the franchise takeover is that two companies are in the running to replace Alaska as the league's 12th member team, namely Master Sardines and Converge.

Master Sardines has already made its presence felt in the PBA by joining the league's 3x3 division for the ongoing second conference.

Converge, on the other hand, is not really new to professional basketball as it sponsored the Pampanga Delta during its 2020 NBL campaign.

Cariaso hopes that the new team owner will keep at least the core of the Aces' 2021 roster led by Jeron Teng, Abu Tratter, and rookie spark plug RK Ilagan.

"I hope they see the team that we're starting here," he further said.

Alaska has until next month to complete the sale in hopes of keeping the roster intact.

Otherwise, the PBA will step in and conduct its own negotiation at the risk of placing the players in a dispersal draft that could happen during the rookie draft proceedings on May 15.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno