Salud apologizes for 'lottery controversy', vows changes

MANILA, Philippines -- In the wake of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters' plan to seek a re-draw of the Draft Lottery, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has issued a public apology and vowed to improve the process to erase doubts.

GlobalPort, with two balls against Meralco's only one, won the rights to pick first overall in the next Rookie Draft as Salud drawn the Batang Pier in the Draft Lottery last Tuesday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

"I have seen the video of the Draft Lottery I recently conducted. I can now also see and understand why people have expressed concerns, some even doubts. This is an entirely avoidable issue and I apologize to our fans, our teams and coaches for the distraction it has caused," Salud said in a statement released to media on Friday.

Rain or Shine, which owns the rights of Meralco, cried foul over the way the Draft Lottery has been handled. In a viral video that spread on social media, Salud was seen not taking out his hands inside the box after the lottery balls have been placed inside.

Fans online raised suspicion over the process. Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao branded the whole process as "crude" and it lacked transparency. He told the media after the Elasto Painters' 89-87 win in Game 2 on Thursday night that they will write the board to ask for a re-draw.

Salud already had a dialogue with Rain or Shine owners Raymond Yu and Terry Que and vowed to institute changes in the whole process.

"Improvements could have easily been instituted had I given this more attention. It simply never occurred to me that the whole process looked crude as Coach Guiao called it, Salud said."

The league commissioner maintained that it was done without an ounce of dishonesty.

"It may have appeared unrefined, but it was an honest draw," Salud added. "Improvements will be implemented anchored on fullest transparency."

It will be up to the PBA board if it will order a re-draw once Rain or Shine's official letter reaches the league commissioner.