Former Senator Freddie Webb, Atty. Chito Salud and marketing man Lambert Ramos have emerged as the early nominees as the Philippine Basketball Association set the criteria in its search for a permanent commissioner Monday.
The three are expected to be formally nominated in the next few days.
They were also among the personalities nominated for the position before the PBA board of governors, in a meeting last August, opted to first appoint Sonny Barrios as interim commissioner.
Barrios has since advised the board he would act as officer-in-charge only in the ongoing Philippine Cup since he’s to take care of a family business in the United States.
“I understand that Freddie Webb, Chito Salud and Lambert Ramos are in already as candidates. But nominations will be accepted the next two weeks. So we’ll see,” said league vice chairman Joaqui Trillo, who also sits in the six-man search committee.
Webb, a former player and coach, had emerged as the top candidate to succeed resigned commissioner Noli Eala before the board decided to first get an OIC to work during the transition period.
Barrios brought in the PBA office Chito Salud – son of former PBA commissioner Rudy - as his personal consultant. Ramos, meanwhile, is being considered apparently for management and marketing expertise.
Sta. Lucia board representative Buddy Encarnado is not keen of making nomination but he’s hoping persons to be nominated “are men of unquestionable integrity.” – Nelson Beltran