Chito makes his mark

PBA commissioner Chito Salud gained a vote of confidence from the league’s franchise owners when they gathered to discuss issues of vital importance on his invitation at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel last Tuesday.

It’s not often that team owners get together to talk about the PBA. They usually let their representatives in the PBA Board of Governors take up and iron out policy matters.

But commissioner Chito felt the league needed to assemble the big bosses for a pow-wow because it was crucial to get direction from the owners themselves on how to go about dealing with critical issues such as owning a coliseum, Smart Gilas’ participation in the PBA, Barako Bull’s leave of absence and the TV coverage.

Former PBA commissioner Rudy Salud, who happens to be commissioner Chito’s father, said he recalls only two other owners’ meetings in league history. The first was during pioneer commissioner Leo Prieto’s term in the early ‘80s and the second was during his own administration in 1990.

“It was either in 1981 or 1982 when commissioner Leo convened an owners meeting to discuss a proposal to revert the PBA from professional to amateur so that the best players could represent our country in international competitions,” said commissioner Rudy. “We met at the Manila Peninsula Hotel. The late Mayor (Nemesio) Yabut even dropped in to tell us if we needed anything, to just call. San Miguel Corp. was represented by Skip Guinto, Filsyn by Frank Harn, CDCP by Bobby Cuenca, Crispa by Valeriano and Ernesto Floro, Toyota by Ricardo and Ricky Silverio, Filmanbank by Pablo Carlos, Great Taste by Porfirio Zablan and Ignacio Gotao, Mariwasa by Nikki Coseteng and Tanduay by PBA president Domingo Itchon. After much discussion, the owners and commissioner Leo designated me to meet with the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and submit a recommendation.”

Commissioner Rudy said he had several meetings with BAP secretary-general Honesto Mayoralgo and now-Rep. Henry Cojuangco who spoke in behalf of his brother Ambassador Danding. In the end, the issue became academic with FIBA announcing moves to open international competitions to pros and amateurs alike so it didn’t matter anymore whether or not the PBA remained professional.

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The second meeting was held in 1990 during commissioner Rudy’s term. He couldn’t remember exactly where the owners assembled but it was probably at the Board room of the Shell House in Makati. Attending were James Go, Lance Gokongwei and Gotao for Great Taste, Rene Buhain of Purefoods, Jose Ibazeta for San Miguel Corp., Honey Boy Palanca for Ginebra San Miguel, Joey Concepcion for RFM-Swift, Luis (Moro) Lorenzo for Pepsi-Cola, PBA chairman Rey Marquez for Shell and Wilfred Uytengsu for Alaska.

BAP president Lito Puyat had requested the PBA to represent the Philippines at the Beijing Asian Games in 1990 and commissioner Rudy said the owners’ direction was necessary to guide the league. The owners decided to approve the request and Sonny Jaworski was chosen to coach the selection that eventually took the silver medal.

Commissioner Rudy said his son Chito is performing much better than he ever did in his term.

 “I think Chito has earned the owners’ trust and confidence,” said commissioner Rudy modestly. “He’s so much better than I ever was. In my time, I was uncompromising, a little ‘mayabang’ and ‘palaban.’ But Chito has the humility of his mother (Pampin) and he is an improvement of what I am. I remember when he was short-listed as a candidate for commissioner some years ago, there was an apprehension that he may be vulnerable to being influenced. But I think it’s now clear that Chito is the one who influences not just one group but all the groups and that’s something he earned. I’m proud to know that team owners listen to Chito’s advice and recommendations. I’ve always told him that he should uphold the league’s interest above all else. No one can ever doubt his integrity, transparency and fairness.”

Commissioner Chito, 48, is the oldest of seven children. He is one of three boys – the others are noted ophthalmologist Dr. Arnold and foreign-based corporate executive Ato, both brilliant in their own right. It’s often said that the sons are cut from the same mold as their father.

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Yesterday morning, commissioner Chito phoned his father to relate what happened at the historic owners’ meeting the day before.

 “Chito was very happy,” said commissioner Rudy. “He was asked by the owners to make a study and recommendation on the proposed PBA coliseum. I think the direction is a self-owned coliseum may be too much for the PBA to handle. It’s not just the money involved but also the management which really isn’t the business of the commissioner or the league. Managing the PBA and managing a coliseum are two different things, two major responsibilities.”

Commissioner Rudy said it was right for the owners to allow Smart Gilas to play in the second conference using its brand name. “When the team plays in the next conference, that’s not the Philippine selection yet – that’s just Smart Gilas,” said commissioner Rudy. “The Philippine team will be formed later with up to five PBA reinforcements, as approved by the owners. If Northern Consolidated was allowed to play as a guest team using that brand name in 1985, there’s no reason why Smart Gilas shouldn’t be allowed to use its brand name, too.” Commissioner Rudy said a unanimous approval was necessary for the PBA to allow Barako Bull a leave of absence. “The PBA Constitution prohibits a leave of absence and the leasing of a franchise,” said commissioner Rudy. “To effectively suspend the provisions in the Constitution, the owners had to render a unanimous approval for the entry of Smart Gilas as a guest team and Barako taking a leave of absence. It was like taking two steps beyond the Constitution.”

With the owners united to support the PBA, the future couldn’t be more secure for Asia’s first play-for-pay league and the country’s No. 1 sports entertainment vehicle.