Barrios named PBA commish

Renauld “Sonny” Barrios has officially become the seventh commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association, announcing his acceptance of the job offer in a meeting with the PBA executive board yesterday.

After much thought, Barrios felt it’s incumbent upon him to accept the offer as he couldn’t find other options to recommend to the board.

“One PBA staff asked me what would happen to the office of commissioner if I don’t accept the job. Since I had no answer, the question helped influence me to accept the position. I don’t want to leave the office like a headless chicken,” said Barrios.

Barrios and the executive board headed by Tony Chua agreed that the commissioner would serve at the pleasure of the board without a fixed term.

On Thursday, the board, after failing to choose between candidates Chito Salud and Lambert Ramos, decided instead to promote Barrios from officer-in-charge to full-time commissioner but only up to the end of the current season.

“That has been clarified. We want to maintain the traditional outlook on the commissioner’s appointment. There should be no fixed term. The commissioner will serve at the pleasure of the board. He can serve for one day or up to 100 years,” said Barrios.

“Actually, it comes both ways. The commissioner can ask to step down just like what commissioners Leo Prieto, Rudy Salud, Mariano Yenko, Rey Marquez and Jun Bernardino did. The late Jun B stepped down because he’s sick. I have my own reason when the time comes. In the meantime, as long as I want to stay and the board wants me to stay, I have to stay. The two come together,” Barrios added.

Barrios, who’s turning 60 on March 4, became the league’s seventh commissioner after Prieto, Yenko, Salud, Marquez, Bernardino and Noli Eala.

He’s hoping he could now focus on the job for the current season with the search for the new commissioner over.

Among his immediate concerns are the bidding for the next TV contract, the league’s role in the formation of the national team and possible return of the three-conference format next year.

“The three-conference format is my personal preference. I have to sell that to the board for possible use in the 08-09 season under chairman Joaqui Trillo,” said Barrios.