One of the boys

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial never imagined when he got the job as a contractual statistician in 1984 that one day, he would follow in the footsteps of giants like Leo Prieto and Rudy Salud in taking over the pro league’s reins. He’s always looked up to Prieto and Salud and the seven other commissioners who preceded him. 

Mariano Yenko was the PBA commissioner when Marcial worked the stats under the supervision of the late numbers gurus Fred Luarca and Joe Concepcion. Marcial remembered Prieto, the founding commissioner, watching the games even after his term so he was exposed to all nine commissioners in his PBA journey.

Marcial, 56, is the only child of prominent Batangas City residents Dr. Rogelio and Corazon. He initially thought of becoming a doctor like his father and took up BS Biology but couldn’t resist the call of the game that is the passion of millions of Filipinos. A year after working as a PBA statistician, Marcial joined Vintage Enterprises where he progressed from a TV panel scorer to floor director.  When Viva took over the PBA’s TV rights in 2000, Marcial continued to work in production. Then in 2003, PBA commissioner Noli Eala called on Marcial to join the league as his special assistant and media bureau chief.

Marcial brought along Fidel Mangonon as statistician, Rickie Santos as operations manager and Perry Martinez as technical director to form a sturdy working team under Eala. Through the years, Marcial developed a strong relationship not only among the media but also with the players, team officials, coaches and Governors. He was the workhorse who led every advance party in an out-of-town game and because of his experience as floor director, knew how to manage TV as a medium to promote the league.

As a PBA fixture for over 33 years, Marcial was a perfect choice to succeed Chito Narvasa as commissioner. PBA chairman Ricky Vargas said the clamor was for a healing commissioner in the wake of the bitter struggle that had split the Board into two factions because of the ruling on the Christian Standhardinger trade. The PBA didn’t get only a healing commissioner but also a hearing commissioner. One of Marcial’s most admirable attributes is humility reflected in his willingness to listen. 

Marcial will be the first to admit he’s not a know-it-all. He respects the intelligence, wisdom and guidance of the Board. His mind is always open to ideas of his superiors, peers and subordinates. When he makes a decision, Marcial makes sure all bases are covered. He wants fairness, transparency and honesty. Most of all, he wants the PBA to relive its glory years as a league where the fans can enjoy the unique brand of “larong Pinoy” with physicality but no dirty playing, “abilidad” and “gulang.”

Marcial said his heart swelled when former commissioners Eala, Sonny Barrios, Chito Salud and Narvasa called to congratulate him and express their all-out support. He said the position won’t change him. He still goes to the pressroom before and after PBA games plus halftime to chat or joke with the media as one of the boys. To shed light on the technical foul that was called on Chris Ross for substituting a free throw shooter in the Barangay Ginebra-San Miguel Beer contest last Sunday, Marcial brought along technical director Eric Castro to face the press in the post-game conference. Ginebra coach Tim Cone even asked if he could listen in. Marcial explained why the technical was called and said the referee who erred in handing the ball to Ross will be sanctioned. It was all in the spirit of transparency and full disclosure. 

In the PBA office, Marcial’s not moving to the plush commissioner’s room that Narvasa used to occupy. His room is encased in glass so he can see the staff and the staff can see him. “We’ll use commissioner Chito’s room for meetings or review sessions with referees because the Board room is too big and consumes too much electricity in air-conditioning,” said Marcial. Because of his street smarts and sense of practicality, the PBA staff is ecstatic that Marcial was chosen to lead the league. 

“I didn’t want the job,” said Marcial. “I thought I would be OIC for just a month or maybe for a conference.” But Vargas and the other Governors wanted a change from within and Marcial was the man who fit the bill. Marcial couldn’t turn his back on the league that has been his home since 1984. Now with Marcial at the helm, the PBA has reemerged as a league with soul and spirit. The fans are loving it, the players are enjoying the freedom, the games are more exciting and the PBA is on the way to a renaissance.