Narvasa insists he’s been fair with trades, ready to step down if warranted

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Chito Narvasa maintained that he always ensures parity and transparency in all of his decisions, especially the trade transactions among all member teams.

He said the deal involving Kia and San Miguel Beer is not the unprecedented as Talk ‘N Text also used the same strategy when it landed Moa Tautuua and Troy Rosario last year.

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“What call for parity are they talking about? I have always ensured parity in all decisions I made as commissioner, not only in the trade involving Kia and San Miguel Beer, but even when Talk ‘n Text acquired the first round picks of Kia and Blackwater in the past to get Mo Tautuua and Troy Rosario,” said Narvasa.

He added that he doesn’t see anything wrong with his revelation that a Talk ‘N Text executive submitted the application of Filipino-German Christian Standhardinger in the PBA Rookie Draft.

He said he is ready to step down only if the disgruntled group will achieve the majority of two-third votes, or the support of eight member teams.

But getting two-thirds is easier said than done.

So far, the bloc seeking his ouster has only seven members in Talk ‘N Text, Meralco, NLEX, Rain or Shine, Alaska, Phoenix and Blackwater.

The group still needs one more member to achieve the magic number of eight.

And it appears impossible since San Miguel Beer, Ginebra, Star, Globalport and Kia are solidly behind the embattled commissioner.

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“Of course, I can resign but only if majority of the league membership says so. We have rules in the PBA and we should be held hostage to the whims and caprices of a few who just called for my removal because they cannot get what they want,” Narvasa said.

“The Office of the Commissioner is not about one man, but also of the league. Whether it’s me or anyone who becomes commissioner, the Commissioner’s Office should remain free to act in the best interests of the majority, including the fans.”