UAAP board members eye long-term commissioner

MANILA, Philippines — Ranking members of the powerful UAAP board expressed interest in having a long-term, instead of a seasonal commissioner, for the country’s leading collegiate league.

Board members Edwin C. Reyes of De La Salle, Ateneo’s Ricky Palou and secretary treasurer Rodrigo C. Roque of Season 77 host University of the East said the idea of having a commissioner serving for more than one year is worth looking at for the betterment of the league. “It should be possible,” said Reyes.

“This is owing to the fact that the league has been changing commissioners yearly. It is a school of thought that aims to provide stability to the league via the official’s mastery of UAAP rules and consistent officiating.”
Palou said a long-term commissioner will be good for the league.

“It is possible to have this, provided [that] that the members of the UAAP agree to have one. A long-term commissioner will also be able to implement longer plans and strategies for the betterment of the league,” said Palou.

Roque stressed that the basketball commissioner needs a longer term for him to be able to adjust to the UAAP rules and regulations.

“However, there should be a monitoring body to oversee the right path where the commissioner is going for check and balance,” said Roque.

The three officials believe UAAP commissioner Andy Jao did a good job in handling basketball this year.

“Commissioner Andy Jao is not new to the UAAP. He knows what can be improved and those that are difficult to change. Overall, I still congratulate Mr. Jao for a doing a good job,” said Reyes, who also lauded UE for a “basketball season that was full of challenges that was clearly faced and ended well.”

Palou shared Reyes’ view.

“It was well organized and problems were resolved in the best interest of the league and to the satisfaction of everyone. I also felt that Commissioner Jao did an excellent job in running the tournament. Officiating was much better than previous years,” said Palou.

Roque said Jao did well because there were less suspension of players and coaches this year than the previous one.
“I think the cooperation of everybody—coaches, officials, board members,press people, fans, alumni—made UAAP Season 77 a huge success,” Roque said in an e-mail to the Inquirer.

Reyes said the UAAP needs commissioners who are technically proficient and are familiar with the latest Fiba rules as well as that of the UAAP.

“Surely there are a number of qualified people who can become a UAAP commissioner,” Reyes said. “What we need to come up with is a clear cut minimum competency requirement checklist for a commissioner.

This may address the perceived detriment of having a one season commissioner.”

Like Roque, Palou does not believe that a seasonal commissioner will do any harm to the league.

“After all, the commissioner is still answerable to the UAAP Board of Trustees. However, he will not be able to implement long-term plans which a longer term commissioner will be able to do.”

Reyes said the only “harm” he can think of that a seasonal commissioner can inflict on the league is inconsistency, that is, having rules that are applied in one game but not in others.