MANILA, Philippines – A no-show by Manny Pacquiao in a PBA pre-game press conference in Dubai sparked exchanges of scathing remarks that led to the suspension of Mahindra consultant Joe Lipa in the pro league.
Lipa has been suspended by the PBA Commissioner’s Office for not attending a “non-waivable” summons.
The veteran coach had been summoned to a meeting by PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa for statements he issued in reaction to Narvasa’s own statements regarding Pacquiao’s no show in the Dubai presccon.
“In terms of basketball excellence you know he’s not really a basketball player.,” he said.
Narvasa was also quoted by the Gulf News as saying: “To me as a commissioner, there are pros and cons. First of all he brings a lot of variety, Manny is a sports icon in himself and whether he goes into the PBA or not he will draw crowds, but the whole concentration of the PBA has to be basketball excellence.
“I have to look at the interests of the PBA in excelling in basketball. If his coming into the team helps Mahindra do that then of course we have to show him support and if it does not then I think it could also be detrimental in the long term.”
Lipa then took the cudgels for Pacquiao, saying the commissioner overstepped in his remarks and put a member of the league family in a bad light.
“I think I’ve got to polish the script of his job description. As a commissioner, he should just be concerned about the games,” said Lipa in a Spin.ph story.
Meanwhile, Mahindra team manager Eric Pineda hopes the matter is resolved soon so that Lipa can get back to his duty with the Enforcers.
“Coach Joe has just returned from Pagadian. I’ve spoken to him. I told him to resolve it the sooner, the better. I also told coach Joe to talk to the commissioner ,” Pineda told The STAR.
“He’s been there for a long time, so he helps us a lot. Coach Joe is valuable to us. His inputs are valuable,” Pineda also said.
“Normally, he gives advice on the best way to play a certain opponent or if he finds something to address in practice. He does so in a way that he’s not imposing. He just gives his two cents worth.”