PBA Board to back Narvasa on controversial SMB-Kia trade

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

The ball is now on the commissioner’s court.

The PBA Board of Governors agreed to back commissioner Chito Narvasa on whatever his decision will be regarding the controversial trade involving Kia’s number one pick in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft and San Miguel.

“The Board has agreed that it will have an all-out support to the commissioner on whatever decision he comes up in the following days,” said PBA media bureau chief Willie Marcial on Thursday after the weekly board meeting in Libis.

Narvasa has yet to come up with the decision following the reported deal, but the Board has decided to entrust all of their interest on the league executive’s hand.

Kia is reportedly shipping the top overall pick in this year’s draft, which is projected to be Fil-German forward Christian Standhardinger, to San Miguel in exchange for a combination of players, namely Ronald Tubid, JayR Reyes, Yancy de Ocampo, Matt Ganuelas-Rosser, Rashawn McCarthy, and Keith Agovida, which will be packaged with a future first rounder and cash considerations.

Marcial said that Narvasa is still talking with both parties as they hope to come up with an amicable compromise for both sides.

“The commissioner is still discussing the matter with San Miguel and Kia, on where they will go and what will happen. But the Board has decided to support commissioner on whatever decision he comes up with,” he said.

Marcial also said that Narvasa is expected to make a final verdict on the matter either on Friday or Saturday.

The 2017 PBA Rookie Draft is already set this Sunday at Robinsons Place Manila.