Camille Naredo

Titan Ultra team governor Emilio Tiu. PBA Images

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – The PBA has officially welcomed its newest ballclub, the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, ahead of its golden season.In the pre-season press conference on Wednesday, PBA Board Treasurer Atty. Raymond Zorilla announced the completion of the acquisition of the NorthPort Batang Pier franchise by the Pureblends Corporation.&quot;The board of governors have approved and accepted the purchase of Pureblends Corporation of the NorthPort franchise. They will be entering the 50th season of the PBA. Their team will now be known as Titan Ultra team,&quot; he said.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/10/1/it-s-official-pureblends-to-enter-pba-as-titan-ultra-after-completing-northport-acquisition-1312">READ: Pureblends to enter PBA as Titan Ultra after completing NorthPort acquisition</a></div>The PBA introduced Titan Ultra team governor Emilio Tiu to the media for the first time.&quot;We are very happy that we have been formally accepted by the PBA. We waited for this event saka itong tanong. Tiniming-an namin 50 years because ibang klase itong 50 years ng PBA. And we expected when we join them, we will learn many things and we will expand together with the PBA,&quot; he said.&quot;For the composition of the team, I have to admit we are still young. But we have a complete line-up. We will give the strong teams a fight without saying, kuya kami lalaban din kami,&quot; Tiu added.The newest ballclub will be coached by former Terrafirma Dyip mentor Johnedel Cardel, with Calvin Abueva, Cade Flores, and Joshua Munzon leading the team. Fran Yu, Damie Cuntapay, rookies Chris Koon and Mario Barasi, Jerrick Balanza, James Kwekuteye, and Von Pessumal are also on the team.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/9/25/pba-abueva-focused-on-season-50-preps-amid-looming-northport-sale-2327">READ: Abueva focused on Season 50 preps amid looming NorthPort sale</a></div>Former NorthPort Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan has been named team consultant.Zorrilla said the reported P90 million deal underwent review and followed the process.&quot;It was a process. Like in any application, we had to determine among others corporate documents, financial capacity and the like. So they had to comply with it and there were certain, kaya lang minsan matagal kasi may either additional requirements or may lacking requirements na hindi na provide on time,&quot; he explained. &quot;But it was a deliberate and a thorough assessment of their application, their intent to join the PBA. Hindi naman sa natagalan, but we just had to follow the process,&quot; Zorrilla added.The approval of the sale took place in the PBA board&#x27;s annual meeting, but NorthPort and Pureblends had to comply with documentary requirements.<div> </div><div>WHAT&#x27;S IN A NAME</div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759328063921PBA IMAGES1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Titan Ultra team governor Emilio Tiu. PBA Images"/>Titan Ultra team governor Emilio Tiu. PBA Images</div>The Titan Ultra governor shared the reason behind their team name and moniker.&quot;Our product lines are coffee, juice powder, beauty products. But this year, as I said, with the 50 years of PBA, which we feel will be an impact. We want to come in also with impact products. Which is why we introduced our new products which is Titan Ultra,&quot; Tiu said.&quot;I think eventually, very near future ilalabas na kaya sinabay namin sa PBA 50th anniversary,&quot; he added.The new product, which is not yet out in the market, is a male dietary supplement.Tiu is concerned about potential criticism or comments on the team&#x27;s name.&quot;We feel at first it should not be on this event. But with the impact of PBA 50 years, who knows? We can be benefitted from our new products. The first idea is to use Ultra Max but it was already in the market, kilala na. Maybe this will be help for everybody,&quot; he said.When asked about the name and moniker of the team, Zorrilla said the PBA does not have any say on this and it is the choice of the team.<div> </div><div>WHY JOIN THE PBA?</div>Tiu explained why Pureblends ended up joining the PBA in its golden season.&quot;Since last year, Pureblends, we already have the intention of joining the PBA because of each product&#x27;s exposure. But we waited for this year, which is the 50th year of the PBA. We wanted to join the circus for exposure and the quality of PBA players. It&#x27;s right timing to join this year,&quot; he shared.Tiu is hopeful the team, led by veterans like Abueva, will make a mark in their debut. &quot;We still have around four veteran players who can help and guide our rookies. We were lucky to acquire some veteran players from other team. With the young group, our veterans are still young so our goal, our style is to have a run and gun, European style,&quot; he explained.Tiu believes the championship will come eventually, but for now they are focused on building a competitive team.&quot;The team owner is a fighter and a basketball player who wants to win at all costs. But eventually, we know we are a new team and we have to develop. You cannot be a championship team in one year,&quot; he said.&quot;It should be within two to three years. We will develop through drafting,&quot; he added.Meanwhile, the PBA also announced University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers head coach Pido Jarencio as the new governor of the Terrafirma Dyip, replacing Bobby Rosales.Jarencio was not present at the event held at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig as hiis team, the UST Growling Tigers, had a game against the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP.

The PBA has officially welcomed its newest ballclub, the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, ahead of its golden season.

The PBA has officially welcomed its newest ballclub, the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, ahead of its golden season.

PBA welcomes Titan Ultra Giant Risers in time for 50th season

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PBA welcomes Titan Ultra Giant Risers in time for 50th season

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 02, 2025 01:31 AM PHT

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PBA Season 50

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Emilio Tiu

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