Yup, that's indeed incumbent NorthPort governor Erick Arejola helping welcome Yukien Andrada to Magnolia. PBA Images (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--When Magnolia formally welcomed each of its three draftees at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall stage in Pasay during the PBA Draft, eagle-eyed people either watching live at the Pasay mall or on their TV or streaming platforms on Sunday night quickly noticed incumbent NorthPort governor Erick Arejola joining the team.

As it turned out, it was not a prank at all.

Arejola indeed joined the Hotshots' front office as their alternate governor, which means he can represent the Purefoods franchise in the PBA board meetings whenever the primary governor, Jason Webb, is unavailable.

Webb, who once served as Magnolia's head coach for one season before Chito Victolero took over, joined the PBA board of governors after Rene Pardo stepped down from his post as the team's governor.

Arejola, though, is not the only guy formerly connected to NorthPort who jumped ship.

People privy to the situation confirmed to Dugout Philippines that Waiyip Chong and Pido Jarencio have already moved to Terrafirma.

One source said Chong will become the Dyip's new team manager after Ronald Tubid was elevated to the head coaching job.

Another source claimed that there is a possibility Jarencio will be named the new team governor, following Bobby Rosales' retirement from the job, although nothing is cast in stone yet.

The front office shakeup at NorthPort, Magnolia, and Terrafirma happened amid the pending sale of the Batang Pier franchise to Pureblends.

With the franchise sale approval deferred last week, NorthPort remained on the board during the draft, although without a team governor after Arejola moved to Magnolia.

In what seemed like the start of a roster overhaul amid the potential Pureblends takeover, the Batang Pier drafted 11 players, headlined by number four pick Chris Koon.

Meanwhile, Bryan Calantoc, the owner of Pureblends, made a public appearance for the first time since news broke out about the NorthPort franchise sale on Saturday night during the MPBL All-Star Game at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan.

Calantoc, whose company helps bankroll the two teams representing Valenzuela in the MPBL and PFL, was listed in the North Division lineup for the Executive Game as the Val City Magic's representative but did not suit up at all in the exhibition match won by the South Executives.