Kia’s new PBA entry is called Team Kia Sorento

Kia has revealed the name of its new team that will compete in the Philippine Basketball Association’s (PBA) 40th season. Called Kia Sorento, the new team has a high-profile hire with boxing champion Manny Pacquiao acting as team coach.

Columbian Autocar Corporation, exclusive distributor of Kia Motors in the Philippines, has also announced the contestants behind the winning entries from its Choose the Name, Win the Game PBA team-naming contest.

Hernando D. Gañac, Jr., CAC Vice President for Marketing and Chairman of the judging panel, shared the good news. “After months of excitement and thousands of entries all over the Philippines, and even some from our kababayans abroad, CAC and Kia are thrilled to finally reveal the winners who will soon fly out to Los Angeles, California.”

The winners are:

Ma. Teresa D. David of Quezon City

Ronald Aaron Po of Quezon City

Rommel S. Latinazo of Quezon City

Wellington S. Lim of Makati City

Soliman M. Santos, Jr. of Camarines Sur

Sanjie Paul Yambao of Pasay City

Marverick M. Baddu of UAE

Geoffrey John Barra of Cavite

Mary Nathaniel Afable of Makati City

Ryan Mark I. Navarro of Davao

Gerald Roger L. Maridable of Iloilo

Ronald De Jesus of Cavite

Alexis John Dela Cruz of Rizal

Alvin T. Jimenez of Cavite

Gañac adds, “We are grateful for the level of support the public has given to Kia and to our participation in the country’s premier basketball league. We are equally honored to be part of the PBA and through this contest, we’re happy that Kia is able to share the milestone with our supporters.”

Last August 7, 2014, a panel composed of CAC executives and a third-party agency was present to determine the final names. Joining Gañac from CAC were Nenuka F. Guba, Marketing Head; Renato G. Velasquez, Sales Director; Menchie L. Competente, Assistant Vice President, Human Resources; and Jose B. Avellana, Jr. from Kia’s PR and advertising agency. Rosila F. Egmilan, DTI Division Chief for Business Registration and Licensing, was also present to supervise the judging and authenticate the results.

The winners are definitely in for an amazing trip in L.A. And as October rolls in, Team Kia Sorento is now well on its way in its quest for basketball supremacy.