NorthPort out, Titan Ultra in for PBA Season 50

Call them Titan Ultra from now on. PBA Images (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

TAGUIG--The franchise sale is officially on!

Pureblends has completed the purchase of the PBA franchise previously owned by NorthPort, as reflected in the official schedule for the upcoming Philippine Cup, which starts on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

As revealed by the league on Wednesday ahead of its board of directors' preseason press conference at the Shangri-la Hotel inside Bonifacio Global City here, the Pureblends franchise will be known as the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.

Calvin Abueva, one of the holdovers from the NorthPort team acquired by Titan Ultra, gave a glimpse of the jerseys the club will wear, although they reflect Titan Maxx, another supplement brand owned by Pureblends.

Bonnie Tan, who last coached the former Batang Pier team before the takeover, stays put with the Giant Risers as team consultant, while Emilio Tiu was named their first member of the PBA board.

With the Giant Risers now on board, Pureblends now bankrolls three professional teams as the Bryann Calantoc-owned food manufacturing company also backs the Val City Magic in the MPBL and Valenzuela Mendiola in the PFL.

As previously reported, Pureblends bought the NorthPort franchise for PHP90 million, divided into two tranches.

To be coached by John Cardel, Titan Ultra's PBA debut will happen at 5 p.m. next Wednesday against Meralco at the Ynares Center 1 in Antipolo.