Trade of key Chargers sours up Shell deal

Businessman-sportsman Mikee Romero tried to pursue a deal with Shell hours before the ballclub decided to take a leave of absence from the Philippine Basketball Association but lost interest when the team released marquee players to other ballclubs.

Romero said Shell has lost its value when the team dealt Rich Alvarez and Tony dela Cruz to Alaska Milk, Billy Mamaril to Coca-Cola and Ronald Tubid to FedEx.

Harbour Centre, owned by Romero, had hoped to seal a deal with the Shell ball club but the two parties failed to come to terms with the ballclub offering a price tag of P45 million while Romero bargained for only P35 million.

Failing to close a deal with Harbour Centre Monday, Shell informed the PBA board of governors during its meeting Tuesday afternoon that it’s taking a leave of absence from the league effective tomorrow.

Romero, a former player with a stint with the La Salle Archers in the UAAP in the early 90s, said he’s still open for a negotiation with Shell but, if ever, they would now tackle different terms, stressing "Shell has lost its value."

"Its value is no longer the third-place team in the recent PBA tourney on the exit of its key players. Kung mag-usap man uli kami, pagiisipan ko muna ng husto," Romero told The STAR.

Romero rued over the botched deal, saying they missed a great opportunity to join the PBA this early.

The 34-year-old businessman-sportsman bared that they were earlier offered by league officials to join the PBA as an expansion team for P65 million payable in a number of years. "At that time, I thought it was too early for us to join the league," he said.

"This time, it’s really regrettable because we’re to inherit what’s already a competitive team. Add three of my players from my PBL team, pwede kaming makasingit (for the championship)," he added.

Part of their negotiation was for Harbour Centre to be given the concession of bringing in three players from its PBL squad. Romero said he was thinking of tapping in any three among LA Tenorio, Mark Cardona, Gabriel Espinas and Larry Fonacier.

"Kung natuloy ang deal, may glamour team ang PBA," said Romero.

But Romero said he’s not losing hope they would join the PBA in due time.

"Actually, wala pa naman talaga sa timetable namin ang pumasok na sa PBA this year. Siguro two years from now pa," he said.

With the Shell deal off, Romero said he’ll just look forward to winning their breakthrough championship in the coming PBL season.