For New Commissioner: Pro league broadens search

With the search for its broadcast partner the next three years over and done with, the Philippine Basketball Association board of governors buckles down anew to the more pressing concern of naming the man who would be at the helm of the league as it moves to a challenging future.

The board hopes to name the new commissioner who will take over from the retiring PBA chief Jun Bernardino in the next few weeks, and there were reports that it has broaden the base of its search to include new and equally qualified men for the position.

The most prominent of the new prospects allegedly being considered was bank executive Tito Panlilio who was a standout in the UAAP during his playing years as an Ateneo Eagle.

His name was reportedly mentioned together with two others, a former country manager of a famous international sporting apparel and accessories company and an active PBA coach.

League sources said that the name of Chot Reyes, coach of the Coca-Cola Tigers, was submitted by the team management to the board along with that of the country manager of the sporting firm.

Panlilio’s name was mentioned by a some sort of a "head-hunter" appointed by the board primarily to do the search for persons who would qualify for the position.

The other candidates for the job are PBA executive director Sonny Barrios, former board chair Ray Gamboa, former board member Elmer Yanga, lawyer-sports anchorman Noli Eala and Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Chito Narvasa. Barrios is endorsed by the outgoing commissioner and former commissioners Rudy Salud and Leo Prieto.

The board hoped to finish the selection process by Nov. 25 during its regular monthly meeting.

Meanwhile, NBN-4 and IBC-13 expressed gratitude to the PBA board and reiterated their promise of bringing the PBA to greater heights in popularity after gaining the rights to cover the PBA for the next three years on a proposed P670-million contract.

"NBN and IBC’s commitment to excellence and our proven track record for the past 26 years, when the PBA was carried by either of our station, should carry us through the next three years. But more than that, we are committed to the proposition that the PBA will soar to unlimited heights in the consciousness of every man, woman and child in this country," said NBN-4 chair Mia Concio.

"IBC’s continuing involvement in the PBA, in basketball and in sports in general, is in line with its thrust of participating in the development of sports in the country. We believe that participation in sports requires the same values that we need to move forward as a country. These are, among others, respect for authority and law and order, and teamwork," said IBC-13 vice chairman Philip Ella Juico.

Carlos "Bobong" Velez, on the other hand, expressed disappointment for his group’s failure to gain the rights ."I thought I managed to assemble a veritable dream team that would have been the ideal partner for the PBA at this stage of its history. Messrs. Bobby Barreiro, Choy Cojuangco, Joey Concepcion and Butch Jimenez are all well known for being highly successful in their respective endeavor. I am therefore disappointed that our group was not chosen to be the PBA’s broadcasting partner," said Velez.

Velez, however, wished the PBA the best of luck, saying he’s looking forward to working with them in the future.