Hector wavers, may run in PABA polls

MANILA, Philippines - Apparently having a change of heart, long-time Philippine Amateur Baseball Association (PABA) president Hector Navasero yesterday said he is likely to seek a new term in another election he will call in compliance with an order from the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

“I might run again. Kung may lalaban, eh di lumaban sila (If there are those who wish to run against me, let them run). It’s a free country, anybody can run, as long as they’re a full-pledged member of PABA,” Navasero told The STAR.

The PABA chief for 25 years, Navasero has earlier said he would give up the post after a gold medal performance of the Phl baseball team in the 26th Southeast Asian Games but situations forced him to reconsider.

“SEAG would have been my last shot. Meron pang World Classic and IBAF 18-U championship. Kailangang ipagpatuloy ang programa. Kung bibitawan, baka mawala pa (We have the World Baseball Classic and IBF world 18-U championship next year and someone has to take care of it to make sure we won’t lose the opportunity to join),” he said.

Navasero’s latest pronouncement is expected to meet opposition from the POC and the baseball stakeholders who formed an ad hoc committee working to clear the way for an elections.

Actually, Navasero conducted elections twice before, with Manny Angeles being voted to the top post. But the POC did not recognize the processes, naming Navasero as holdover president while ordering PABA to clean up its membership and revise the charter before holding a new poll.

The leadership crisis nearly thwarted the baseball team’s stint at the SEAG.

“I changed my mind because of the situation,” said Navasero, adding he is “still fit and could be helpful to the association.”

He invited all “active baseball associations” to apply for membership preparatory to the elections, including UAAP, SCUAA, PASUC, LASUC, Department of Education, Baseball Philippines, AFP Little Olympics, Tanauan Little League, ILLAM, Muntinlupa Little League, TOT Baseball and other associations with annual tournaments.