Ramos losing interest, too; Barrios unsure

Even Sonny Barrios, who is being offered the job of commissioner on a silver platter, is puzzled why the PBA board failed to break the impasse regarding candidates Lambert Ramos and Chito Salud.

“I cannot speak for the board. But I wish they had resolved this. Hindi na dapat nagka-ganoon,” said Barrios, still unsure whether or not he would accept the job a lot of people would die for.

“With the prestige and know-how that these gentlemen (board members) carry with them, they should have come up with a resolution,” he said during yesterday’s PSA Forum.

The PBA board under chairman Tony Chua of Red Bull named Barrios the commissioner last week after it failed to make a choice between Ramos and Salud who are both qualified for the job.

Barrios can accept the post, stay on until July or wait, hope and pray that the board finally breaks the long-drawn impasse.

Salud, a brilliant lawyer, has withdrawn from the race, while Ramos, a top telecommunications executive, said he can’t wait too long.

“If it happens within a month, I’m still available. But if I have to wait up to July, it’s too long,” said Ramos. “I’m still the Nextel president. I’ve received couples of good job offers from other companies. I can’t prolong my decision. I owe Nextel an explanation.”

Barrios sounded like he’s not going to accept the job as full-time commissioner.

“It’s in the balance,” he said.

“I’m sure that in due time we can find many capable men to lead the league.”

He said the failure of the board to resolve the matter despite so many hours, days and weeks of deliberation might have some effect on the league.

“Definitely it’s not positive,” was his answer. – With reports from Nelson Beltran