MANILA, Philippines - Pagkatapos palitan ni Sonny Barrios bilang PBA Commissioner si Noli Eala noong 2007, ito’y gagawin niyang muli kay Eala pero bilang Executive Director naman ngayon ng Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP), ang national sports association ng nasabing sport sa bansa.
Inanunsyo ito nina SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan at vice-president Ricky Vargas ang pag-appoint kay Barrios pagkatapos ng pormal nilang paghaharap kahapon.
“I am humbled and honored by this appointment and the trust and confidence given me by the SBP leadership,” wika ni Barrios sa isang statement.
“I am looking forward to significantly contributing to the achievement of SBP’s goals and vision as well as in the propagation of the sport of basketball, one I actively played since grade school and which has played a major role in my corporate life while in the PBA for 21 years, the last three as commissioner.”
Si Barrios ang magiging pangatlong executive director ng SBP pagkatapos nina Pato Gregorio at Eala.
Pero ayon sa reliable source na nagpaumanhing huwag kilalanin, halos pansamantala lamang si Barrios sa kanyang puwesto habang may gino-groom itong mas batang inaasahang mas tatagal sa nasabing puwesto. Ito’y dahil may inaasikasong mga negosyo ng pamilya si Barrios.
Bumitiw sa kanyang puwesto si Eala sa SBP si Eala noong nakaraang buwan para maghanap umano ng ibang oportunidad sa private sector.