Don’t worry PBA fans. The PBA will be fine even if two sides of the board don’t see eye-to-eye on whether or not Commissioner Chito Narvasa should remain on the job. To me, all this is just a big offseason distraction that’s meant to draw attention to the league as it goes through its off-season while its “competitors” enter their important phases of their respective tournaments. Didn’t you notice it? The NCAA is now in its playoff stage with Lyceum and San Beda patiently waiting for their next playoff games. The UAAP heads towards its second round of eliminations phase, with the top teams focusing on making it to the Final Four; eyes are now looking at a possible Ateneo-La Salle finals. Meanwhile, the NBA is now approaching its third week with a few concerns for fans of the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers who haven’t gotten off to a good start (4-5). And in a few weeks, the growing Asean Basketball League kicks off with a home game to be played for Alab Pilipinas. The FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers also kicks off its new format with Gilas playing in Japan, then hosting Taiwan by the end of November.
And so I ask. Was this PBA Board “soap opera” intentional, accidental, or both? Cheer up guys. It’s always so much better to look at this kind of things from the lighter side. Don’t be stressed out. That’s their problem, not ours. It looks like both sides have decided to stay off the press and have agreed to sit down and discus the matter among themselves, just the way it should be done and not through the media. What we do know is that seven board members (out of twelve) have expressed their non-confidence in Commissioner Chito Narvasa, while five board members have said they have faith in the Commissioner. The lead teams on both sides are obviously from the two biggest names in sports: the MVP group of companies and San Miguel. The MVP teams are Talk N Text, Meralco and NLEX. They are supported by Alaska, Rain Or Shine, Blackwater and Phoenix. The “other” side is composed of San Miguel teams San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Star; backed by Globalport and Kia. Enough has been said in the media from both sides and it really isn’t worth being stressed out by all this intramurals within the board. The good news though, is that both sides have agreed rightfully not to let this squabble affect the training camp of Gilas Pilipinas as it prepares for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2019 Qualifiers. Key players from both sides led by four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo were present at the first day of practice called by Coach Chot Reyes.
But what does all this tell us? I always take the positive side in any controversy so that lessons are learned and everything turns our for the better; The good news here is that we’re seeing a PBA board that is vibrant and tuned in to the PBA’s activities out of their concern for the league, the sport and its fans. Instead of sitting back and just letting everything and anything roll along, the board stood up and made its sentiments known. Although two sides have arisen, I’m sure this will all be settled like true professionals. A big note of experience here is that the Commissioner’s post is one hot seat that only the few and brave will want to inherit. And people like Chito Narvasa and previous Commissioners Chito Salud, Sonny Barrios, Noli Eala, Jun Bernardino, Rey Marquez, Rudy Salud, Col. Mariano Yenko and pioneering Leo Prieto are examples of this. Moreover, the Commissioner’s role today has leveled up a hundredfold to being more than just a simple manager of the league’s games. It’s a thankless job where everything you do will find itself in a “damned if you do, damned if you don’t” scenario. And with the advent of social media and technology, the Commissioner’s every single step is followed up close and live, not only by the media and PBA but also its fans. The sad part is that you’ll be identified with siding with a certain group of teams for everything that you do.
But the biggest lesson out of all this is the PBA itself. And again, the timing couldn’t be more perfect as the board goes on its strategic planning workshop later this week. I have a strong feeling that the current 7 vs. 5 rift on the commissioner is a mere veneer of a more serious virus that’s much deeper and that’s dragging the PBA down. How far down we’ll know pretty soon. Does the league know where it’s headed and does it know what it wants to reach by being the country’s premier source of basketball entertainment? Do all teams know their reason for existence in the league? And are these reasons noble? Do all teams know why they’re in the league in the first place? These questions must be answered as the PBA prepares to level up to reach new heights. The Commissioner’s post is just a mere speck in all these questions. If the team owners and board can’t get together to agree on a shared vision and more importantly act according to this vision, then the PBA will be in grave danger. But after 42 years of existence, will the league fall apart or become stronger?