PBA board chairman Tony Chua is hopeful the board will break their impasse and finally come up with a decision on the next PBA commissioner in their meeting on Jan. 10.
“My fervent New Year’s wish is that all of us in the PBA board be given good wisdom and select the best man that could help us bring the PBA to even greater heights,” said Chua.
“I hope that the selection process be over by Jan. 10 so we can focus on delivering the best basketball for our fans,” Chua added. “I’m apologizing to the PBA fans kung mayroon kaming pagkukulang and I wish them all the best this new year.”
The board is divided on its choice between Chito Salud and Lambert Ramos as the next commissioner. It needs to muster two-thirds vote to finally name the man taking over from officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios.
Barrios said the board may also need to look for an officer-in-charge if it isn’t able to name the next commissioner before the Fiesta Cup.
“A family business that needs my attention is waiting for me. I can’t stay on as officer-in-charge beyond the Philippine Cup,” said Barrios.
Thus, Barrios is also hoping the governors are guided by their good wisdom and finally come up with a decision in their Jan. 10 meeting.
The impasse remains if no one is still able to get at least six votes from the nine voting governors (all teams except Purefoods).
San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginera, Red Bull, Welcoat and Coca-Cola were reportedly for Salud while Talk n Text, Alaska Milk, Air21 and Sta. Lucia for Ramos as the board couldn’t break the deadlock in its previous meeting.
Backdoor maneuverings are reportedly ongoing with each group trying to get votes from one another.
One governor said it’s hard to predict what will happen in their next meeting.
Salud is looking to improve the PBA game while Ramos’ priority is to develop a fan affinity with each team.
Out of delicadeza, Salud has taken a leave of absence in Barrios’ staff where he served on a pro bono basis with a focus to improve officiating standards since the start of the season.
Ramos is currently the Nextel president but said he’ll take an indefinite leave of absence in the telecommunication company if he becomes the PBA commissioner.