By JONAS TERRADO
Alab Pilipinas has reportedly began the process of finding a new sponsor after Tanduay withdrew its support as the club's major backer halfway into the ASEAN Basketball League season.
Sources said Tanduay backed out of its sponsorship deal this week after the company and Alab failed to reach common ground over disagreements with the composition of the roster despite bouncing back from a 0-3 start with five wins over its next six games.
It is unknown if management has found a quick solution to Tanduay's sudden pullout or if the team will still wear a uniform that sports the liquor company's logo on Sunday when Alab travels to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to take on the Saigon Heat.
Alab team manager Charlie Dy neither confirmed nor denied the report when asked by the Bulletin yesterday.
The club, currently on its second season in the ABL, has gained significant following after adding Ginebra hero Justin Brownlee and Renaldo Balkman as world imports to reinforce rookie coach Jimmy Alapag, reigning Local Most Valuable Player Ray Parks Jr. and veteran guard Josh Urbiztondo.
Alab is currently ranked fourth in the ABL standings with a 5-4 record, trailing defending champion Hong Kong Eastern (8-1), Chinese side Chong Son Kung Fu (5-1) and Thailand's Mono Vampire (8-4).
Tanduay forged an agreement with Alab to be its major sponsor before the ABL began in mid-November, a move that was seen as a major boost to the Philippine team's bid to rebound from a semifinal loss to the Singapore Slingers last season.
As part the deal, Tanduay's name was prominently placed in Alab's official logo.