Fresh mandate for Marcial

There were no objections when PBA chairman Ricky Vargas proposed the extension of PBA commissioner Willie Marcial’s term to three more years for a job well done during the planning session and Board of Governors meeting at the Rosa Grand Hotel in Milan, Italy, last Thursday.

Marcial, 58, never imagined he would someday become PBA commissioner back in 1983 when his love for the game brought him to work as a statistics trainee during founding commissioner Leo Prieto’s administration. Because he was a jokester and always ready to lend a helping hand, Marcial was well-liked by everyone who had something to do with the league. He enjoyed following the action on the court and interacting with the TV

panelists for whom he churned out stats as the game progressed. From bringing out numbers, Marcial metamorphosed into a floor director then was appointed media bureau chief and special assistant to the commissioner in 2003.

A doctor’s son, Marcial developed a special relationship with the team owners, players, coaches, league officials, staff and fans like a physician with his patients.  Since he worked under every single commissioner in the PBA’s history, Marcial knew what it was like to steer the boat through troubled or smooth waters. That understanding was critical in preparing Marcial to become the league’s 10th commissioner after Prieto, Col. Mariano Yenko, Atty. Rudy Salud, Rey Marquez, Jun Bernardino, Noli Eala, Sonny Barrios, Chito Salud and Chito Narvasa.      

Marcial said he got his PBA break through a neighbor Jimmy Quintana in Project 6, Quezon City. Quintana and his father Ben were PBA statisticians under Fred Luarca. From watching PBA games religiously, Marcial thought of something to help the Quintanas with their job. He designed a referee’s stats sheet, noting down every call, when it was made, the score at the time and other pertinent conditions. The Quintanas referred Marcial to the PBA supervisor of officials Crispin Aldiosa who when presented the stats sheet, said it was extremely relevant. That led to Marcial’s appointment as a statistics trainee under Joe Concepcion.

“I’ve seen the league evolve from the time of Commissioner Prieto so I learned from every commissioner,” said Marcial. “I remember Commissioner Prieto sitting by himself near the table officials, not talking to anyone, while the game was going on, dressed in all white,” he said. “Everyone respected Commissioner Prieto. Then, I remember how the fans got rowdy once and an egg that a fan threw landed on Commissioner Yenko’s head.”

Marcial was named PBA officer-in-charge when Narvasa resigned on Dec. 31, 2017 and appointed commissioner on Jan. 25, 2018. What Marcial brought to the job was a love not just of the game but also of the league. His heart has been his trademark. He opened his door to players. He put a focus on improving the referees’ ranks and quality of officiating. He involved the coaches in periodically evaluating the rules through the Competition Committee. He reached out to fans and brought the game closer to where they are. He sought guidance from the Board of Governors and executed his plans with transparency, efficiency and resolve.

So when Marcial’s initial three-year contract expired, a renewal was a foregone conclusion. “Commissioner Willie was extended for another three years unanimously by the Board,” said Vargas. “Willie is grounded, hard-working, inclusive and has a collegial conflict resolution and decision-making process. He listens and showed that he has the league at heart. He has the feel of the fans, respect of the players and humility of a leader.”

Not too many fans know that when the PBA was in crisis during Narvasa’s administration, the league nearly went under. One bloc was ready to start a new league of its own, leaving the other faction with a fragmented PBA on the brink of destruction.  But Vargas got the Board back on track, unified the conflicted elements and with Marcial as commissioner, restored order in the league. Now, the PBA is on the path to usher in a new Golden Era with an enlightened and committed leadership ready to take the league to the next level.