Jaworski open to idea of being next PBA commissioner

MANILA, Philippines — While PBA great Mon Fernandez has said he isn’t interested in being the league’s next commissioner, another legend might just be.

Robert “Sonny” Jaworski seemed to be open with the possibility of running the longest professional league in Asia.

When asked if he will be interested in taking the commissioner job — an intriguing role that the Chito Salud will relinquish at the end of the season—if offered, Jaworksi said: “I’ve always been open to ideas of doing my share in sports. So okay tayo, okay tayo (we’re okay).”

A day after his name floated as a replacement for Salud, Jaworski was corralled by reporters during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Awards Night, where he along with others members of the 1973 basketball team was recognized.

Jaworski, though, admitted that he had just learned about Salud’s resignation after arriving on Saturday from an out of the country trip — a day after reports of Salud’s planned retirement at the end of the season broke.

“But at the same time, I don’t know what’s happening I just heard it today kasi nga wala ako dito. Pagdating ko dito sabi sa akin magre-resign na si [Salud].”

The former senator was a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the team that won the Asian Confederation Championship (now Fiba Asia).

Salud on Sunday announced his retirement in a press conference — making the league’s 40th season his fifth and last as commissioner. During the presser, PBA chairman Patrick Gregorio also bared that a meeting between Board of Governors happening on Feb. 26 is set focusing on making the criteria in appointing the next commissioner.

A rumored candidate for the job, Fernandez, who was once the head of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association, on Monday said he will “politely decline” if he gets an offer.

While Jaworski said being a commissioner is a “great opportunity,” he added that it is a “tough job.”

“He (Salud) has done a good job. It’s a tough arena, it’s a tough job but hey, I’m sure someone will take the challenge and accept the challenge.”

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