Welcome to the PBA Global Port Batang Pier

The dream has finally turned into reality.

Champion sports aficionado and shipping mogul Mikee Romero has finally turned his boyhood dream into reality: earning the PBA Board of Governors' nod in acquiring the Powerade Tigers franchise thus joining Asia's pioneering basketball league of over thirty-five years.

What this means:

1. No more drama
Last season's magical, Cinderella story run to the Finals and superstar Gary David's "takeover" of the league was marred by rumors of the Tigers' demise. There were reports that the team was for sale and worse, on the verge of being disbanded with all of its players, coaches and staff left under the cold and lonely rain. Well, Romero's multi-million Peso acquisition assures us all of continuity in terms of the players-- since the core guys; David, JVee Casio, Rabah Al Hussaini and Sean Anthony are signed to long-term contracts while the reserves led by Rey Guevarra, Rommel Adducul, Rudy Lingganay and Jondan Salvador.


2. JVee Casio's budding legacy remains
Unless he starts putting on tattoos and acts like a clown on the court, Casio is the one guy that the Batang Pier could truly build around under the Romero era. With interim head coach Glenn Capacio now calling the shots, look for a more definitive role for the DLSU hotshot and not just another guy who picks up after David. Daresay that of all the SMART Gilas I boys, Casio is the most revered and widely respected bar none (by BOTH male and female fans of course, giving him the edge over Chris Tiu).

This writer always thought that Casio would suffer in the pros given his under-sized shooting guard nature. But he has proven more than capable of handling PG chores and could, at the very least, keep in step with bigger PBA guards.

Look for Romero to have Casio's best interests in mind given their DLSU ties.

3. Instant darkhorse
Since the core is still intact and with Sunday's PBA Draft's 10th and 16th picks, the Batang Pier are in a very good position to repeat or even exceed last season's mighty performance. They're already better than Air21 and Barako Bull, and who knows if Rain or Shine can enjoy another conference together without self-combusting or being complacent. Alaska is also another team that the Batang Pier could easily overtake given its retooled coaching staff and last season's lackluster performance.

4. Healthy competition
This team is owned by Mikee Romero. The same guy who pretty much ran the PBL to the ground by opting to sign collegiate superstars left and right leaving bit players for the competition. If there's anyone in the league who wants to win, it's Romero. The man is greedy, selfish and wants all the glory in the world-- when it comes to sports of course. Don't expect lopsided trades or his team to act as a conduit now unless...

5. The Hand that feeds
... unless San Miguel Corporation decides to get some sort of "return of investment." A quick back story for you, Romero's North Harbor (Global Ports) is not his alone. It enjoys the financing of one Ramon S. Ang-- the same guy who runs the show for San Miguel. The Boss. That's why Romero didn't seem bothered with the extra 50 to 60 million pesos he had to fork over to acquire the Powerade franchise. The man has friends in high places. Only problem is, what if any of the three San Miguel teams decide that it's time to pluck a Casio from the Batang Pier and have him sit on their benches? We could only pray that this isn't and won't be the case moving forward. We already have Air21 and Barako Bull for that.

What is your reaction to the Mikee Romero acquisition? Is it good or bad for the PBA?