New PBA commissioner to be named next week

The three remaining candidates for the post of PBA commissioner appeared before the members of the board yesterday at the penthouse of the EDSA Shangri-la where they presented their respective plans and visions in a bid to convince the board of their competence and capability to run the PBA.

Former PBA chairman and Shell board representative Rey Gamboa, lawyer-newscaster Noli Eala and Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines head Chito Narvasa were also made to answer a series of questions prepared by the board — one at a time.

Gamboa and Eala, however, seemed to have left a bigger impression on the board with the former focusing on housecleaning and the latter putting more premium on marketing and rehabilitation of the 27-year-old league. Narvasa talked about ways to strengthen and improve the sport in general.

No votes were made yesterday since the board members have yet to report to the different team owners. The voting will take place on Wednesday as the board prepares to name the person who will succeed Emilio "Jun" Bernardino, the commissioner for the last nine years.

The three candidates were chosen from almost a dozen personalities who were either recommended or named by a "head hunter" tapped by the board to look for a new commissioner. Bernardino cited health reasons in bidding the PBA goodbye.

No votes were made yesterday since the board members have yet to report to the different team owners. The voting will take place on Wednesday as the board prepares to name the person who will succeed Emilio "Jun" Bernardino, the commissioner for the last nine years.

The three candidates were chosen from almost a dozen personalities who were either recommended or named by a "head hunter" tapped by the board to look for a new commissioner. Bernardino cited health reasons in bidding the PBA goodbye. — Nelson Beltran