By Ronnie Nathanielsz

IN what may be considered a preemptive move, the Philippine Basketball Association board of governors will hold a special board meeting on Monday to discuss the ramifications of the planned Air21 transfer to Burger King.

PBA chairman Joaqui Trillo said that while nothing official has been filed with the Commissioner’s Office indicating the changes, Air21 officials, as well as Burger King investors, including PLDT-Smart owner Manuel V. Pangilinan and former PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, hinted at future plans.

As gathered by www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Air21 will carry the Burger King name in the second conference, with former Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao taking over as head coach.

Mikee Romero, owner of the Philippine Basketball League champion team Harbour Centre, is taking over the handling of the team as evidenced by the fact that it was he who negotiated with Guiao for the head coach job.

Romero, who had a comparatively small investment in Burger King initially, will increase that investment substantially, along with Pangilinan and Vargas, while the 60-percent majority ownership of Lina will be substantially diminished, along with that of current PBA vice chairman Lito Alvarez.

Talks are now ongoing to decide on whether Romero will serve as board representative of Burger King, or whether Alvarez will be allowed to continue as the representative, since he will succeed Trillo as chairman next season. But it was pointed out that the PBA chairmanship is by rotation among the teams, and not particular individuals representing the teams.

Trillo indicated that he would like to find out what the sentiments of the board members were and also to find out from Air21 what their plans are.

However, Trillo said Alvarez would not be able to attend the meeting on Monday since he will be in Baguio City. But Trillo said even without Alvarez he plans to go ahead with the meeting.