PBA chairman on the ball

Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) chairman Casiano (Jun) Cabalan, Jr. confesses he’s probably read more sports books than textbooks and his week wouldn’t be complete without playing the game at least once.

Cabalan’s passion for hoops crystallizes the dedication he brings to the PBA Board of Governors as its chairman this season. Representing the Barangay Ginebra club, he is known for his professionalism, objectivity, and fairness. But more than anything else, Cabalan is well-liked by his colleagues because deep down in his heart, he’s just a fan.

Cabalan, 46, was born in Butuan City. He attended St. Peter’s Seminary in high school and earned a degree in psychology with a strong minor in philosophy at La Salle Bacolod in 1976. Cabalan entered the novitiate at the Mary Hill Seminary in Taytay after graduation and stayed six months before starting his professional career. He joined San Miguel Corp. Chairman Eduardo Cojuangco’s group of companies in 1977, specializing in human resource management.

In 1999, Cabalan was designated Ginebra team manager and alternate Board governor. The next year, he became Ginebra’s Board representative.

To find out more about Cabalan, The Star asked the PBA Chairman 20 questions. It was the morning after Cabalan played with Ginebra team manager Ira Maniquis, San Miguel coach Joseph Uichico, Ginebra coach Allan Caidic and San Miguel legends Hector Calma and Samboy Lim in an exhibition game against the Oblates of St. Joseph in Lipa last Saturday. Cabalan’s squad won, 132-119, and while Caidic and Lim led the charge with a combined 65 points, the PBA Chairman had his moments on the floor, connecting on a pair of barreling drives and a right baseline jumper. The game preceded Ginebra’s 89-83 win over San Miguel Beer in a preseason outing.

Cabalan was in Tagaytay with the Ginebra squad in a team-building exercise and found time to answer The Star’s questions by phone during a break.

Star: What are your three top priorities as PBA Chairman?

Cabalan: First, to bring the fans back to the games and improve our TV ratings. Second, to further professionalize the management of the league. And third, to start a pension plan for our players.

S: What is the PBA’s strength? Its weakness?

C: The PBA’s strength is its history. The PBA is and has been loved by fans for decades. We can lean on this rich tradition during hard times. Its weakness? I guess, operating under the difficult economic conditions we are in.

S: How did you develop a passion for the game?

C: Since my first year of high school, I played the game every day up to when I left the novitiate, except of course, when I got sick which was rare. So that was nine straight years of playing as a CICM seminarian. I still play at least once a week. I remember in the 1980s, I never missed watching a PBA game on TV. I also used to watch the NBA on TV. I remember going out on the court trying to imitate the big NBA stars after watching players like Phil Chenier, Gail Goodrich, Earl Monroe, Pete Maravich, Walt Frazier, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

S: What do you predict for Ginebra this year?

C: Ginebra will be a real contender. I expect the team to play in the semifinals and hopefully, the finals in at least a conference.

S: What major changes were made in Ginebra to prepare for the season?

C: We made several adjustments. From the start, we were determined to rebuild. We waited to see whom we could get in the draft before negotiating with our veteran free agents. We made a full evaluation of what we needed to become a contender. Our additions were significant with Romel Adducul, Sunday Salvacion, Rob Johnson, and Aris Dimaunahan (Ginebra’s third round pick last year). Alex Crisano is also back with us. We also got Binky Favis in our coaching staff to assist Allan.

S: What is Ginebra’s secret in remaining the league’s most popular club through the years?

C: Our never-say-die spirit which was evident in our exhibition win over San Miguel the other day. We were down 18-2 and scored only six points in the first period. But we won in the end, 89-83. Our secret? We never give up and the fans like our razzle dazzle style. Our players also relate well with the fans–they give it their all for the fans on and off the court.

S: Is parity in the league becoming a reality?

C: Yes. The recent Board decision to standardize the import ceiling in the reinforced conference without handicapping is proof of it. The Board said if we allow a taller import for a No. 7 ranked team, for instance, it would be such an advantage detrimental to the others. The teams actually enjoy equal strength. There is no lower or upper half. Any team can win a championship although in a good year, it’s still possible to get a grand slam although not probable, unlike in the days of Crispa and Toyota.

S: How difficult is your role as PBA chairman?

C: Difficult and easy. Difficult because I deal with very senior people who have a lot more experience in corporate and basketball management than me. Easy because of their support and acceptance of my chairmanship. My strength comes from the support I get from the Board. I rely on that, most of all. Because of my long association with the Board–I’m in my fifth year, I’ve developed a closeness with our governors. That’s extremely helpful in getting all of us to work together as a team.

S: Are discussions in the PBA Board heated?

C: The deliberations can get intense but they’re all on a very professional level. We try to dissect each issue we face before coming up with a decision. Once we resolve a particular issue through a vote, we are committed to abide by the majority decision and we support it as a united Board. While we sometimes differ in opinions, we are one in supporting the ideals of the league, in our goal of making it succeed.

S: Could you describe the first month of Commissioner Noli Eala’s stewardship?

C: Impressive. He showed a willingness to learn. He introduced several changes which had a positive impact on the league. He is willing to work hand-in-hand with the Board while not compromising his independence.

S: How do you cope with the public pressure to improve officiating in the PBA?

C: We listen to the fans. We feel the public pulse. As representatives of teams, we support moves to improve our officiating standards. That’s why the Board is backing up the Commissioner’s recommendation of allocating about P1 million for the training of referees. That’s also why the Board agreed to bring in former NBA referee Darrell Garretson to train our referees.

S: Do you anticipate a problem in defining roles for Eric Menk, Adducul and Jun Limpot?

C: No problem. They can play together. The coaching staff has addressed the situation. I think as a general rule, any two of the three will always be on the floor. But all three can play at the same time, depending on various situations. Romel plays No. 5, Eric either No. 3 or No. 4 and Jun, No. 4 or No. 5. Jun can alternate with Romel at No. 5 and if he’s playing No. 4, Eric will play No. 3.

S: What direction will the PBA take with regard to the national team?

C: It’s a priority issue to discuss. We noticed that when our pros play for the national team and they don’t win the gold, there is an effect on the league. There is a slowly rising sentiment that we must address this issue on a long-term basis using a separate group to do it. The Taiwan experience is worth studying. They’re sacrificing the present to build a core of young players for the future. In two or three years, Taiwan will be back as a contender in Asia.

S: Do you support Sen. Robert Barbers’ investigation of alleged Fil-Shams in the PBA?

C: We must look at things in perspective. Of course, we support Sen. Barbers’ initiative in aid of legislation. But we have to abide by legal procedures. We must always take all legal and human rights issues into consideration.

S: What lessons from the NBA can the PBA put to good use?

C: The NBA has been around for over 50 years and the PBA is just entering its 29th season. The success of the NBA didn’t come like magic, overnight. It has experienced a lot of ups and downs. That’s why it’s good to look at the NBA’s history, study how it has become probably the biggest sports league in the world, and learn from its experiences. I would particularly like to zero in on how the NBA has successfully marketed itself in the US and around the world.

S: Do you foresee a one-conference format in the PBA like in the NBA?

C: Yes but maybe not yet next year. We are studying the proposal. We are looking into its implications. If it’s viable and it addresses the demands of the fans, players, clubs, and sponsors, why not?

S: Will the PBA consider an expansion in 2004?

C: The Board will consider it if an applicant comes forward early enough so that we are able to evaluate its position. We would like a competitive expansion team so as to keep the parity in our league.

S: You have worked closely with San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo Cojuangco and vice-chairman Ramon Ang for several years. What do you draw from them as inspiration?

C: Their passion for excellence. Mr. Cojuangco and Mr. Ang want us to excel in everything we do. They are true professionals and models for all of us. They are our inspiration to be the best we can be. In my role as a PBA governor, my mandate is to keep the interests of the league above the interests of any individual team.

S: Is the regional concept of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association adaptable in the PBA?

C: Not unless there are corporate sponsors willing to spend at least P70 Million in net expense to support a team. It is difficult to find individuals to back up a team to that extent. In the PBA, the media exposure is what a franchise gets in return for its support.

S: What can fans expect from the PBA this season?

C: A more competitive league. Better, closer games. Quality competition. Improved officiating. A more exciting format. It’s going to be a great year. We’ve got a new commissioner on board and a fresh outlook for a bright future. Personally, I can’t wait for the season to begin.