Salud vows to improve lottery transparency

MANILA, Philippines – PBA commissioner Chito Salud promised on Friday to institute a new process to ensure full transparency of draft lottery amidst attack from some quarters on the manner the exercise was done Tuesday before Game One of the Governors Cup Finals at the MOA Arena.

This developed as PBA governors stood fully behind the league commissioner as Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said they’re to protest the proceeding and appeal for a “redraw” from the league board.

“I have seen the video of the draft lottery I recently conducted. I can now also see and understand why people have expressed concerns, some even doubts,” said Salud.

“This is an entirely avoidable issue and I apologize to our fans, our teams and coaches for the distraction it has caused,” Salud also said. “Improvements could have easily been instituted had I given this more attention.

“It simply never occurred to me that the whole process looked crude as coach Guiao called it. It may have appeared unrefined, but it was an honest draw.”

With live TV coverage, Salud conducted the draw, placing two Globalport balls (being the last placer in the season) and one Meralco ball (rights having been traded to Rain or Shine in a previous trade deal) in a box placed atop a table at midcourt.

Guiao is questioning in particular the process where Salud, after placing the last of the three balls inside the box, didn’t put his hand out. The commissioner instead went straight to pick a ball that turned to be Globalport’s.

“We’re pursuing our intention to have the lottery draw be investigated and if possible redrawn because it’s just crude, it’s lacking credibility and lacking transparency,” said Guiao.

For PBA board chairman Mon Segismundo, Guiao is raising a howl for nothing.

“For me it’s a non-event. It’s no big deal. I don’t think we should make a big fuss about nothing,” said Segismundo.

“If you believe in the integrity of the commissioner then you believe in the integrity of the process done by the commissioner,” Segismundo pointed out.

On Rain or Shine’s plan to elevate the matter to the board, Segismundo said: “We have bigger things to worry about. My advice to coach Yeng is to smell the roses.”

The three-team strong SMC bloc is fully behind Salud.

“We are 101 percent in support of the commissioner in his stewardship of the league. He has proven his impeccable professionalism, integrity and fairness which led to the league’s success. We don’t believe in such accusation of impropriety during the lottery,” said SMC official Robert Non.

“What will he gain in return, nothing. This accusation is also tantamount to undermining the league and Commissioner Salud’s ability to lead it. Such allegation has no place in the PBA where sportsmanship and integrity are of utmost importance,” Non added.

Talk n Text’s Patrick Gregorio, Barako Bull’s Manny Alvarez and Air21's Lito Alvarez also expressed full thrust and confidence on the integrity of the commissioner.