Assured of an autonomy needed to effectively run a fledgling league like the MBA, former PBL chief Ogie Narvasa accepted the challenge to steer the two-year-old community-based league to greater heights in the next two seasons.
MBA chairman and president Bert Lina said yesterday they have finally come to terms with Narvasa, a practicing lawyer who was given a free hand to run the Office of the Commissioner, including the choice of his deputy. Narvasa inked a two-year pact with the league Thursday.
"Mr. Narvasa was the unanimous choice of the board and we will give him our full support. We are confident of his ability to perform well considering his age and experience," said Lina.
He added: "We will be there to support him all the way but we will also give him full autonomy in running the league."
Narvasa was among 11 candidates nominated by the MBA board of governors to replace Ramon Fernandez, who relinquished his post together with his deputy Ed Cordero after two seasons due to differences with several team officials and owners.
Prior to assuming the post, Narvasa batted for an autonomous Commissioner's Office, stressing that only under the setup could he run a successful league.
The third season kicks off Feb. 13 with the Federal Express-backed Laguna Lakers taking on the Cagayan de Oro Amigos in Sta. Cruz, Laguna followed by the match between Socsargen and last year's champion Manila at the 5,000-seat, air-conditioned General Santos City gym.
An added attraction in the Laguna game is the initial phase of the MBA-sponsored weekly swimming and track and field competition with the Lakers hosting the first meet at the San Luis Sports Complex. The 13 other teams will then take turns hosting similar swimming and athletics events, tapping potential talents in the grassroots level.