PSA names PBA commish as top exec

MANILA, Philippines - Thirty years after and the Philippine Basketball Association continues to evolve as the country’s No. 1 sports entertainment.

And last year was a perfect proof of it.

Asia’s pioneer pro ball league registered a new record in gate receipt amounting to P114 million in a banner season that saw three different teams emerge as champions.

The figure easily topped the previous all-time gate receipt mark of P90 million attained ironically, just a year before.

Remarkably, both high marks were achieved during the first two terms of Atty. Chito Salud as league commissioner.

And not one to deny him of the good deeds he has done for the league in such a short time, the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) recognized Salud as deserving of its Executive of the Year award.

The son of the late PBA chief Atty. Rodrigo Salud will be given the distinct honor during the PSA-Milo Annual Awards Night set at the grand ballroom of the Manila Hotel on March 16.

“The Board was unanimous in its choice. There’s no perfect person for the PSA Executive of the Year award than PBA commissioner Chito Salud,” said PSA president and Tempo sports editor Rey Bancod.

Salud will be the third recipient of the award first instituted in 2010 by the country’s oldest media organization during its gala night presented by Rain or Shine, Globalport 900, Meralco, Sen. Chiz Escudero, PBA, LBC, Smart, Philippine Sports Commission, ICTSI and the Philippine Golf Tour.

Philippine Azkals team manager Dan Palami was the first to be bestowed of the award followed by Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president and Maynilad president and chief executive officer Ricky Vargas.

Aside from steering the PBA to greater heights, Salud also managed to rally the board representatives of all 10 teams to allow their players to suit up for the Gilas Pilipinas team that will see action in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Basketball Championship the country is hosting for the first time in 40 years.