The remaining candidates are former PBA Chairman Rey Gamboa, coach Chito Narvasa and lawyer-broadcaster Noli Eala. They’re being summoned to appear, one by one, before the Board of Governors for a final interview on Thursday.
Without meaning to influence the Board’s decision in any way, I thought of 10 guidelines to keep in mind in choosing the next Commissioner:
• Love for the game. No ifs and buts about it. Basketball must be a consuming passion for the next Commissioner. He must understand the sport, inside out–its nuances, its intricacies. His mind and heart must be tuned into the game.
• Integrity. The Commissioner enjoys a wide range of powers. He must be above suspicion in carrying out his duties and exercising his authority. His record must be pristine. A stain in his credentials will cast doubt on his ability to rule with impartiality and honestly.
• Managerial experience. The Commissioner’s job isn’t easy. He’s got to manage the affairs of the league in an efficient and orderly manner. He can’t be scatter-brained about it. A solid managerial background is vital.
He must know how to run a big organization that’s constantly under the public eye.
• Creative and innovative. The Commissioner can’t be passive. He’s got to be literally on the ball, every second of the day. He’s got to be able to suggest new ideas, new ways of doing things. Stagnancy is his worst enemy. He should be adaptable to change without dismissing the value of tradition. He must be able to inspire his co-workers to think as creatively. He must be responsible.
• Interpersonal relations. He must know how to get along with people from all walks of life and how to deal with the various sectors that relate to the PBA. He’s got to know when to be harsh and when to be soft. He must know how to co-exist with the league’s owners, players, coaches, and the fans. He must know how to handle himself when thrust in the media limelight.
• Unafraid to stick to principles. There are pressures that make life difficult for the Commissioner. He must be able to withstand the pressures and stick to his principles in deciding what redounds to the league’s best interests. He’s got to be strong and bold, willing to try out innovative ideas–no matter how radical–if in the end, they could lead to a more exciting outlook for the PBA.
• No hidden agendas. The Commissioner shouldn’t treat his job as a stepping stone for something else. A political position shouldn’t be in the horizon. Heaven forbid a Commissioner who’s thinking of running for public office in the future. And the Commissioner shouldn’t use his office as a means to gain favor for some kind of business consideration, whether now or later.
• No vested interests. The Commissioner shouldn’t be biased or prejudiced. There should be no ties that bind him to an interest group.
He should be independent-minded and should owe his job to the league, not to one or two or a few interest groups.
• Unsullied character. The Commissioner must be looked up to for his strength of character. He must be sincere, principled, articulate, expressive, charismatic, and intelligent. He can’t be a wimp. When he has to crack the whip, he’ll know how and when to do it. He must be a leader, someone the public can respect. When he speaks, the people listen.
• Visionary. The Commissioner can’t be a knee-jerk reactionary. He must be able to look beyond what he sees. He can’t just be a day-to-day operator. He must be guided by a plan, a vision. His focus can’t be only for a season. In a sense, he’s got to be a man for all seasons. He should think in terms of a short, medium and long-term direction.
Next year could signal a turning point for the PBA. A new TV franchise holder will enter the picture. There are lingering doubts that some Fil-shams are getting away with making a mockery of Philippine immigration laws. Are Fil-foreigners and homegrown locals getting along? The qualifying tournament for the 2004 Olympics is coming up–will the PBA participate or not? Salary caps will be brought down–will it demoralize players and will it show in the quality of their performance? Will TV ratings and attendance figures rise or drop?
The coming draft should be sensational, what with the entry of former Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) stars like Romel Adducul, Reynel Hugnatan, Eddie Laure, Billy Mamaril, and John Ferriols. Varsity heroes like Mike Cortez and Enrico Villanueva are expected to join the derby, too.
Then there are Fil-Ams like Robert Johnson and Jimmy Alapag waiting in thewings. With loads of talent in the draft, will expansion be considered?
Given what’s in store for the PBA, it’s no wonder the Board is making sure the next Commissioner is the perfect choice.