Search down to 5, Barrios retires

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) board chair Butch Alejo said last night they have decided to give the Commissioner’s Office a total facelift in a bid to "relaunch the PBA" and keep it attuned to the challenges of the times.

"Ratings are down, we all know that. The PBA needs new ideas. This is a judgment call the board has to make," said Alejo in a hastily-called press conference also attended by outgoing PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino and his deputy Sonny Barrios.

The PBA chair also said that Barrios has decided to retire after the board considered new faces in the short list of aspirants to Bernardino’s post.

Barrios’ move has narrowed down the choice to five with three having signified their intention of accepting the job.

"When commissioner Jun Bernardino announced his retirement at the end of the year, I prepared for two eventualities — that I will retire at the end of the year if I don’t become a commissioner or I will be the commissioner in 2003," Barrios said.

"Those who believed and supported me all these years, please join me one last time in accepting, respecting and embracing the decision of the board. It is a big step towards the ultimate selection of the next commissioner. I wish the league all the best in the years to come," he added.

Alejo said the three who have expressed willingness to work as PBA commissioner are former PBA board chair Rey Gamboa, Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Chito Narvasa and sportscaster-lawyer Noli Eala.

Actually, the board was still looking at six candidates after its meeting Monday night. Alejo, however, said one had begged off from being considered for the position.

The STAR gathered that the short-list the board came up with after Monday’s meeting was composed of Gamboa, Narvasa, Eala, Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes, former GMA-7 top executive Bobby Barreiro and former Nike Phils. country manager Felicito Feliciano.

Barrios expressed gratitude to the league, saying his PBA employment benefitted not only himself but his entire family. He mentioned that his three children are now gainfully employed with the eldest working in New York after finishing culinary studies in the States.

"My employment with the PBA definitely played a significant role in my being able to achieve all these for my children," he said.

Barrios also thanked Bernardino, who recruited him to join the league and former commissioner Rudy Salud, whom he considers his mentor.