PBA names Willie Marcial as commissioner, hopes ex-OIC helps league ‘heal’

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Basketball Association’s Board of Governors, through a unanimous decision, appointed Willie Marcial as the league’s new commissioner.

The decision was announced during the board’s first monthly summit in the PBA office in Libis, Quezon City, Thursday afternoon.

"The highlight of the discussion is the appointment of our [Marcial] as permanent commissioner of the PBA. He’s given a term if three years,” said league chairman Ricky Vargas.
 

Willie Marcial is promoted as full fledged pba commissioner

— nelson beltran (@nelbeltran) January 25, 2018

Marcial, who was named as officer-in-charge on Dec. 17, 2017, becomes the 10th Commissioner of the Philippines’ premiere pro league, which has been in operation for 43 years.

He succeeds Andres “Chito” Narvasa, who resigned from his post on the opening day of the ongoing season.

“It was an appointment without any objections. The board gave the go-signal without any objections. As you know, the PBA board has gone through a very difficult time before the opening of this season, and we were looking for somebody who can put it together and help us heal, since there will be a lot of changes as we move along,” Vargas added.

Prior the announcement, Marcial figured as the top candidate for the post as reported by The STAR’s Nelson Beltran, citing for a need for “a healing commissioner.” Also in the pool of candidates were basketball personalites Chito Loyzaga, Rebo Saguisag, Joel Banal and Bill Velasco.

Marcial has been with the league’s management team as far as in the early 2000s when he served under former Commissioner Noli Eala. His first involvement with Asia’s first pay-for-play league was as a statistician.

He is expected to still concurrently serve as the media director, a post he has long held, according to Vargas.