SAGUISAG
INQUIRER FILE
‘Formal search’ for next PBA commissioner begins; UAAP’s Saguisag among candidates
Games Tomorrow
(San Juan Arena)
4:15 p.m. – KIA Picanto vs NLEX
7 p.m. – Magnolia vs Alaska
A day after Chito Narvasa’s resignation as PBA commissioner was accepted, the board is set to start a “formal search” for a successor, though the names of lawyer Charlie Cuna and former UAAP commissioner Rebo Saguisag have popped up as strong candidates.
The league opened its 43rd Season on Sunday, and for the first time in its history, had no commissioner to run the league as the impasse that raised tension among members of the board for close to two months finally came to an end.
New chair Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa made the announcement on Sunday, saying the board “is strong than ever.”
Instead, the body appointed long-time media bureau chief Willie Marcial as Officer in Charge, a post he will occupy for just 30 days, according to sources, giving the board no luxury of time in finding the next man in charge.
“We have to start (doing) a formal search,” a board member who requested not to be identified for reasons that he is not authorized to talk on the matter, told the Inquirer on Monday night.
“But some names coming out (strong) are Charlie Cuna and Rebo Saguisag.”
Narvasa served two years and was the central figure in the biggest issue that literally divided the board into two.
Names of long-time league fixtures Tommy Manotoc, Andy Jao and Ricky Palou were also mentioned, and though they all have a wealth of experience, they are considered longshots with the board reportedly looking for someone much younger.
Cuna, who also dabbles in broadcasting by doing PBA games for television, was in the short list of candidates eyed to replace Chito Salud in 2015, when a head-hunter, Global Executive Solutions, was contracted for the search.
Narvasa, who was also a former coach with Purefoods and Shell, was not in the initial short list, and, in borrowing horseracing lingo, came from out of nowhere and nipped everyone at the finish line.