PBA tackles candidates list

The PBA board of governors will make a short list from among the candidates for the post soon to be vacated by league commissioner Jun Bernardino.

"We’ll try to get the feeling of the governors towards a few names. We’ll discuss personalities then ask the board members their comments. Hopefully, we can come up with a short list," said PBA board chairman Butch Alejo on the eve of the meeting.

"I’m sure the governors already have their preferred candidates but I don’t want yet to call a vote. We have to come up with a consensus. It’s not nice to have a fragmented board," Alejo added, ruling out the possibility of the board making a decision in the 5 p.m. meeting set at the PBA office inside the Ultra Complex in Pasig.

There were reports the board already had a consensus and is just settling a few things before finally announcing its choice. Alejo denied this, though.

He stressed the board has yet to formally tackle the issue since they had been very busy on other matters, particularly the bidding for the league’s television rights and the new salary cap scheme.

The Purefoods top honcho, however, is confident they will come up with a good choice hopefully before the end of the year.

Names nominated for the job are current deputy commissioner Sonny Barrios, former board chair Rey Gamboa, long-time board member Elmer Yanga, Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines president Chito Narvasa, sportscaster-lawyer Noli Eala, banker-sportsman Tito Panlilio and Coca-Cola coach Chot Reyes.

But one board member told The STAR the choice is actually down to two.

Another board member didn’t discount the possibility of more names nominated before the board makes the short list.

The executive board meets at 4 p.m. before the regular board meeting starts at 5 p.m.