PBA still in crisis as Narvasa issue remains unresolved

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Basketball Association remained in crisis as the opposing blocs in the league board failed to resolve their conflict over the tenure of PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa in a meeting Wednesday.

Before leaving for the United States for their planning session, the PBA governors met in a full-board conference but the two blocs kept their opposing stands, and thus Narvasa’s term remained unclear.

There’s no certainty they can solve the matter especially with some board members already begging off from joining their US trip.

The bulk of the delegation is departing for Los Angeles via a Philippine Airlines flight Friday night.

No longer joining the trip are TNT KaTropa’s Patrick Gregorio, Rain or Shine’s Mert Mondragon and Phoenix Petroleum’s Raymond Zorrilla.

Some members doubt if they can resolve anything in the trip.

Among those up for approval are the formal transfer of league chairmanship from Mikee Romero of GlobalPort to Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX and the proposed calendar for the 2017-18 season.

And in the air with Narvasa’ term is the commissioner’s plans and programs for the coming PBA season.

The main conflict arises on the contradicting interpretations of the two groups in a certain provision in the league by-laws regarding the tenure of the commissioner.

Seven governors oppose the extension of Narvasa’s contract. They represent the three MVP/PLDT franchises — TNT, Meralco and NLEX — and four independent teams Rain or Shine, Phoenix, Blackwater and Alaska.

Governors of San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Star, Kia and GlobalPort, meanwhile, are in favor of retaining Narvasa.

One group contends that under the PBA by-laws, the commissioner’s term is considered expired at the end of every season and it will require a two-third vote for his reappointment. However, a contrary interpretation is a two-third vote is necessary when expelling a commissioner or appointing a new one.

As of Wednesday, a source said Narvasa still intends to fight for the proper procedure to be followed.

The same source also said Narvasa will go on with the US trip.