New guidelines will put ‘order in court’ – Chito

TOKYO – New PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa will meet the PBA coaches, players and game officials to come up with new guidelines that hopefully – to quote his famous father, former Supreme Court Justice Andres Narvasa – will “put order in the court.”

 “I will be fair but I will also be firm,” said Narvasa in running the games as the ninth PBA commissioner after Leo Prieto, Mariano Yenko, Rudy Salud, Rey Marquez, Jun Bernardino, Noli Eala, Sonny Barrios and Chito Salud.

The pro league kicks off Season 41 on Oct. 18 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

As the new PBA commissioner, Narvasa appointed Rickie Santos as deputy commissioner and brought along Pacita Dobles as executive assistant.

“It’s not me alone. The coaches, the players and teams will be more involved. How it’s going to be done? We have plans. I will explore that with the coaches,” said Narvasa, the first former player and coach to assume the PBA commissionership. 

“We will work hand in hand. I will work hand in hand with the teams. It’s going to be rough going, of course. But if they’re involved, they will understand,” he also said. “And it will be a continuing process. If they think there’s still room for improvement, let’s improve. If they think something is missing, we’ll talk to them to get their approval.”

The basic officiating guideline Narvasa has in mind is taking away the referees’ discretion.

“You make a call or not. No judgment call. Judgment call is whether you make a call or not. It’s a lot easier to see later on, allow me some time,” he said, hopeful PBA games will be more exciting. “It will still be physical but not a wrestling match.”

With everybody on board in officiating, Narvasa expects complaining on calls will be less than before.

“If we agree on something to help each other, (complaining) will be much less. You’ll see the effort on my part. If you see that effort is not enough, just let me know. Let’s help each other. You help me and I will help you. Eventually that will be addressed,” he said.

He stressed he’ll put order on the playing court.

“Can you imagine the referees, just three and without relief for 48 minutes. A coach will talk to him, then the assistant coach, the 12 players and even the ball boy. Then comes the governor. It shouldn’t be done. There has to be some order restored,” he pointed out.

“All the coaches are my friends and they know me. They know I will do it. I will spare no one,” said the former Ateneo stalwart, who had PBA coaching stints with Shell and Purefoods.

He is confident he can deal with the fieriest and feistiest, mentioning coach Yeng Guiao, who is a long-time friend.

“We’ve talked. He told me ‘do what you have to do and I’ll do what I have to do.’ Pero sabi pa niya, asahan mo tutulungan pa rin kita,” Narvasa said.

He said he’ll also be firm in dealing with player trades.

“Before we make any decision, I want to see all the papers in front of me, the facts, agreements. And I want to see the lineups, end results for both,” he said.

“I guess all the teams know my responsibility is to take care of the PBA. That’s the first priority then later on the teams. Right now I want to see Kia and Blackwater to get better (to improve the competitive balance of the league),” he added.

NOTES: Narvasa had a meeting with Japanese basketball leaders on the sidelines of the PBA planning session here, exploring possible tieups. The Japanese officials said many Japanese players want to follow in  the footsteps of Seiya Ando, Japanese guard who suited up as Meralco’s Asian import in the recent Governors Cup. “Kumalat dito,” said Narvasa. “Looking forward, we’re looking at how we can do a common project – maybe exchange programs.”