Bernardino back in action

After spending the last two months recovering from a minor heart condition, PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino Friday showed that he’s up and about and, in fact, is getting ready to resume his function as top honcho of the country’s premier basketball league.

Bernardino, who fell ill while vacationing with his family in Baguio City last April, made a surprise visit to the PBA office before noon, had lunch, shared some of his views on current sports, events, and enjoyed a "hearty" laugh with members of his staff and a couple of mediamen.

It was the first visit by Bernardino to his office at the Philsports arena, and it came like warm sunshine to the rest of the PBA employes and officers on another rainy day. Among those who greeted him was Sonny Barrios, ably filling in the shoes of the commissioner.

"Just warming up," said Bernardino as he stepped into his office, wearing dark pants, a white shirt and a blue PBA rain jacket. He was at his bubbly self despite losing close to 20 pounds from his usual weight of 198 pounds.

"I’m down to 180 but my doctors say that I must further trim down to ideal weight of 160. Konti na lang. All I have to do is watch my food intake… no salt," said Bernardino while finishing his lunch consisting of marinated pork, soup, a cup of rice and fruits for dessert.

"Well, it’s so nice to see the commissioner back in his office and I’m glad that he’s up and about. All he needs now is some more rest and he’ll be back in the swing of things," said Barrios, the PBA executive director ably calling the shots while the commissioner is out.

Bernardino, however, was not able to watch yesterday’s games at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo. "It’s not that my doctors are saying that I cannot but it’s because of the hassles going there," said the commissioner who drove all by himself from his home in Parañaque to the PBA office.

But that he has continued to miss the games live hardly mattered. At least for now, the PBA, including its millions of followers, will have to settle for the good news that Bernardino is - truly - up and about.