MANILA, Philippines – Pananatilihin ng Phoenix Petroleum management ang roster at coaching staff ng Barako Bull team at umaasang magkakaroon ng magandang kampanya sa darating na PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“We have a little time to prepare, so we’ll make do with what we have. In the first place, we are new in this endeavor, we don’t want to rock the boat,” sabi ni Phoenix Petroleum legal official Atty. Raymond Zorilla.
Sa pagbili sa Barako Bull franchise, nakakuha ang Phoenix ng winner coach kay Koy Banal at mga players na kagaya nina Willy Wilson, JC Intal, Mac Baracael, Mick Pennisi, Jeric Fortuna, Josh Urbiztondo, Chico Lanete at James Forrester.
“Banal has a string of championships in the collegiate and in the semis-pro. He’s a competent coach. And we’ve got a team fresh from a PBA playoff stint,” wika ni Zorilla.
“Of course, as owners, we want immediate result. But we don’t want to give undue pressure. We’ll give them time,” dagda pa nito.
Walang katiyakan kung sino ang kakatawan sa Phoenix sa PBA board pati na ang magiging alternate governor.
“It will be a top-management decision. It would be good if the top owner (Dennis Dy) can represent the team, but his schedule is no joke,” sabi ni Zorilla.
Ang Barako Bull sa ilalim ng Lina Group ay si Manny Alvarez ang tumayong representative sa PBA board.
“The PBA is one of the most accomplished marketing tools in the country, For a young company like ours, our PBA participation would make a big impact,” ani Zorilla.
Kasabay ng pagpasok ng Phoenix sa PBA ang kanilang pagdiriwang sa ika-10 taon sa petroleum business.
Ang tanging publicly listed petroleum company na nasa ilalim ng oil deregulation law, ang Phoenix ay orihinal na nakabase sa Davao.
Bilang bahagi ng kanilang marketing plan, magkakaroon ang Phoenix ng mga koponan sa PBA at PBA D-League.
Ang Phoenix ay naki-pagtambal sa FEU Tama-raws para sa D-League.