PBA board to set guidelines in choosing next commish

MANILA, Philippines – Will the next PBA commissioner be a lawyer, a management guru, a marketing expert, a sportsman or a personality with a variety of expertise?

This will be known Thursday as the PBA board of governors convenes in another special meeting to draft the criteria and guidelines in the search for the man that will succeed outgoing PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

One thing that the board has already agreed upon is naming the new commissioner on or before the end of the current PBA Commissioner’s Cup so that he can undergo training under Salud during the season-ending Governors Cup.

Salud, the league’s eighth commissioner, has formally tendered his resignation that will take effect at the end of the season.

Ahead of Thursday’s board meeting, NAASCU chief and SBP treasurer Jay Adalem is the latest to express interest to assume the high-profile job.

PSC commissioner Jolly Gomez and former Baguio City mayor and ABAP official Reinaldo Bautista have been endorsed earlier.

During the earlier PBA board meeting, names mentioned as possible candidates are BCAP president Chito Narvasa and former PBA board members JB Baylon and Lito Alvarez.

Names that could not be overlooked are former PBA stars Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez and Chito Loyzaga. Fernandez has said in an online report that he’s not interested on the job.

Board chairman Patrick Gregorio said he would bat for a charismatic person who has a marketing savvy and a vision for the league in the next five to 10 years.

And he’s amenable to the idea of the current commissioner that they form a selection committee that will include an independent member or “a PBA outsider.”

One board member is suggesting that they tap a “head-hunter” who can also look at sports managers abroad willing to return and work in the Philippines.

A governor who didn’t want to be identified said he’s for a man who knows his basketball.

“PBA teams are not in the PBA to earn from it. They advertise their brand through basketball. So the commissioner should focus on the game. He can delegate the marketing job to others,” the governor opined.

Off-hand, he believes the strongest candidate for the position is Narvasa, a former collegiate player and PBA coach who has served as commissioner of the UAAP.

“He’s got a strong personality. He won’t be intimidated or dictated by anybody.

A basketball expert thinks Chito Narvasa’s brother Ogie should also be a good prospect.

“He played the game, has served as commissioner of the PBL and is a lawyer,” he said.