Dear Club Bàsquet Sant Antoni team,
Writing these words is an honor for me, not only as CEO of Siroko, but as someone who has lived and breathed basketball since childhood. Thinking about this new sponsorship deal, I can’t help but remember those days when my brother and I would play in the backyard of our house in Gijón, mastering the dribble technique, shooting imaginary three-pointers and dreaming of plays worthy of true pros.
Gijón has been my lifelong home, and that is where my two main passions – for sports and for entrepreneurship – were born. I remember the games at Begoña school, where I started playing as a 9-year old kid, coached by my brother and his friend Emilio. Even at that age, I would already stand out, playing against senior teams, scoring 35 or 40 points per game at the Rio Piles school. That passion for basketball followed me for 23 years, while I also embarked on my journey into the business world.
One of the most vivid memories I have is the game in Vilagarcía de Arousa with the Asturias national team, where I scored 33 points against Cantabria. Those were magical times, facing the best players of my generation at the Spanish championship in Palencia, including such giants as José Manuel Calderón. Basketball taught me core values such as companionship, friendship and teamwork. I also learned how to deal with both extreme joy and frustration. Even today, as the years have gone by, I am proud to say that I have not lost my touch with three-pointers and that some of my best friendships were forged on the court, in the same team or fighting head to head.
This unwavering passion for basketball makes me feel really excited to announce that Siroko becomes the official partner of Club Bàsquet Sant Antoni from Ibiza, a team that I consider part of my second home. It goes beyond a simple sponsorship; it is my way to pay a personal tribute to basketball, support it in the way it has supported me all these years.
In recent years, Club Bàsquet Sant Antoni has seen remarkable growth, cementing its position as one of the most outstanding teams in the LEB Plata (third division of the Spanish Basketball League). Their evolution has been impressive, full of effort, hard work and dedication, which have brought them close to fulfilling their dream: getting promoted to the LEB Oro (second division of the Spanish Basketball League).
The team has competed tirelessly, coming close to reaching the LEB Oro multiple times. This achievement would be a significant leap forward for basketball in Ibiza, and I am confident it will happen soon. Last season was a clear reflection of that ambition, fighting until the last second in the playoffs, proving that they have the capacity and determination to be among the best.
That’s why at Siroko, we aim to support the team in their daily work as well as actively contribute to realizing their dream of getting promoted. From now on, the Sa Pedrera sports hall will carry our name: SIROKO SA PEDRERA, and we promise that every game will be a unique experience, not only for those who can watch it in person, but also for those who follow us from anywhere in the world, as we will broadcast the games on our platform Tokyvideo.com. Our technical team is already working on bringing this project to life.
The road ahead of us won’t be easy, but we know that success in basketball, as in life, doesn’t come without effort, without overcoming adversity, without fighting for every single shot. At Siroko, we are committed to being with the team every step of the way – through every assist, every rebound, and every 3-pointer that brings us closer to victory.
And here’s a message for the team: let’s keep our heads up and our competitive spirit alive. As Michael Jordan said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships”. We are here to win together, and I am confident that, with the collective effort and passion we share, we will not only achieve our goals, but exceed all expectations.
See you on the court. And who knows, maybe this year I will get around to playing again, at least to remember those golden days and enjoy the sport I love so much.
Let’s go for the LEB Oro!
With all my enthusiasm and commitment,
Borja Mera
CEO of Siroko
