2025 PBA DRAFT | WHY YOU CAN'T JUST HAVE A PBA TEAM

I saw a Facebook post saying that Terrafirma plans to select Geo Chiu as their top pick with a ridiculous 200K salary.

This actually checks out.

They can pay him up to 420K, but the problem is that Terrafirma exists in the PBA in a limited capacity. They are basically a zombie franchise waiting for a proper end.

Because they had this so-called great idea of selling their assets to other SMC teams, all their potential buyers were turned off. Say what you will about Northport, but at least they have Calvin Abueva, along with the rights to Arvin Tolentino and Dave Ildefonso.

This is also where you can see the difference between the PBA and the MPBL. Decades ago, an MPBL team today would have been the equivalent of a PBL team. The application process is easy, the buy-in fee is low, and disbanding a team is not that complicated.

That is why teams like RFM, Sta. Lucia, Tanduay, Red Bull, Air21, Welcoat, Globalport, Blackwater, and even Converge first tested the waters in the semi-pro leagues before committing to the PBA. It was the only way to mentally understand the pros and cons of owning a franchise. Even then, many of them faltered. This is also why I understand why the PBA is carefully checking the assets of Pureblends.

People need to realize that once the board allows them to enter, it will take at least five years for them to even struggle to get out. I said “struggle to get out” because you cannot just walk away.

When Tanduay disbanded, they had a willing buyer in FedEx, which later became Air21 after the global company cut ties and left the local group with all the expenses. If Pureblends has a sustainable budget that can last until 2030, then they are truly ready to compete for a championship. This is the same case when Converge bought Alaska. Think of Converge as a partnership between Strong Group Athletics and Delta Pineda. The reason they are determined to compete against the top teams is that they are a fusion of two strong entities.

Rain or Shine is lucky to have Yeng Guiao’s no-superstar policy. It allows the Elasto Painters to maintain a revolving door of talented but cost-friendly players who might not have succeeded under another coach. Players like Junthy Valenzuela, Topex Robinson, Ronnie Matias, Larry Rodriguez, and Raul Soyud thrived in his system but never really stood a chance when traded to other squads.

With Terrafirma, the situation is different. They are required to field Fil-Ams, former UAAP stars, and other ambitious players, but they do not have the financial muscle to support them. These players often play a style of basketball that does not always translate well without a proper system. And yes, it is easy to blame SMC for poaching talent from farm teams, but at the end of the day, it is the farm teams that keep giving their players away.

Sure, these smaller teams might struggle to keep up with their players’ increasing salary demands, but there are always options. They can look for more sponsors, bring in partner companies, and do everything in their power to stay competitive. If SMC sets aside at least 500 million pesos for their sports programs, then they have every right to chase championships.

So yes, Geo Chiu could very well ask for a trade early on if Terrafirma lowballs him. If that happens, maybe the PBA should consider sharing the franchise with them, similar to what the NBA did with the New Orleans Hornets before an owner eventually stepped in, moved the team back to Charlotte, and rebranded the Bobcats as the Hornets once again.