Hotshots now playing under the Magnolia brand in the PBA
A NEW era descended on one of the popular teams in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) as the Hotshots team is set to play under the Magnolia brand when Season 43 of the local pro league fires off next month.
Played under the Purefoods Star wing since 2015, the team formally announced yesterday that beginning in the next PBA season it will now be known as the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.
Team officials said the shift in brand affiliation marks another significant chapter in the history of the franchise, which barged into the league in 1988 as the Purefoods Hotdogs.
They hope that now playing under Magnolia they get to build on the franchise’s legacy of excellence in the PBA which has bore 13 championships.
“We want to put the emphasis on health and wellness through sports with this shift. As a brand we have not been big in sports and young people as we cater mostly to the mothers but now that we are in the PBA we hope to engage more of the young generation,” said Rita Palabyab, San Miguel Foods, Inc. president, said during the formal announcement.
Established in 1973, Magnolia Chicken said it is very excited with its latest foray in the PBA and that it hopes to enhance its brand and take it to more people.
For the team itself, coach Chito Victolero said they welcome the shift and looking at it as further motivation as they head into the new season.
“This only inspires us to be better. I’m happy with the roster with have right now. And I’m sure they are happy as well to play under Magnolia,” said Mr. Victolero.
Players under Magnolia is pretty much the same that bannered Star, including Marc Pingris, Paul Lee, Peter June Simon, Rafi Reavis, Jio Jalalon and Marc Barroca.
The new PBA season begins on Dec. 17. —