Impasse seen as board tackles Narvasa’s term

MANILA, Philippines — Unless one of two contending blocks gives way, the PBA board of governors could be heading for an impasse on the term of office of PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa.

The board tackles the status of Narvasa in today’s emergency board meeting to be presided over by incoming chairman Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX at 8 a.m. at the PBA office.

A good majority of the board convened in an earlier meeting Monday and agreed to no longer endorse and support the extension of Narvasa’s term as PBA commissioner.

They contended that Narvasa’s tenure has lapsed at the end of the 2016-17 PBA season.

This position, however, is likely to be opposed by the other group.

It could be an intense and passionate discussion as they visit what the PBA by-laws have to say on “firing” and “hiring” a commissioner.

Apparently both situations require a two-thirds vote or eight votes from the 12 member ball clubs. A sitting commissioner can’t be removed from office by seven PBA teams, and one can’t be hired as commissioner by five ball clubs.

Sources said the two groups are deeply divided in the contentious issue heading to the meeting.

“It may lead to a stalemate and it’s hard to predict what will happen,” said a source.

The board has had almost the same predicament in the past, with no one budging an inch in their dispute in their choice for the commissioner’s position between Chito Salud and Lambert Ramos. In three balloting processes, no one gained the required two-thirds vote. In the end, they gave the mandate to then officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios as a full-time commissioner.

Sources said present in the Monday meeting were representatives from TNT KaTropa, Meralco, NLEX, Alaska Milk, Phoenix Petroleum, Rain or Shine and Blackwater. 

“These teams were not happy with some of the decisions of commissioner Narvasa. The last straw was his approval of the Kia-San Miguel trade and his mention of a TNT official to justify his decision,” a source said.

On the sidelines of the draft proceedings Sunday, the TNT KaTropa team released a statement questioning Narvasa’s decision.

“His decision robs the PBA of the dynamism, excitement and suspense that a player of (Christian) Standhardinger’s caliber would bring going up against June Mar Fajardo. If the commissioner does not see this simple perspective, he may not be the right person for the job,” said TNT in a statement.

“We are afraid as to who should be the custodian of the PBA’s paramount interest. He talks about parity/equilibrium for trades, but where is it?” the statement added.

The TNT KaTropa management also cried foul over the mention of the name of Magnum Membrere as Narvasa explained how he came to the decision.

“No logical reason to divulge the info other than a futile and pathetic attempt to take the spotlight off him,” said TNT team manager Virgil Villavicencio.

“Why did he have to use us to justify his decision? In addition, any team has the right to see what trades would make sense for them regardless of players thrown into the equation,” Villavicencio added.

The league top honcho divulged Membrere, the TNT assistant team manager, was the one who submitted Standhardinger’s draft application to the PBA office.

But Villavicencio explained Membrere did that as representative of Smart Gilas, for which Standhardinger played for in the Jones Cup, in the FIBA Asia Cup and in the SEA Games last year.