PBA board opts not to renew Narvasa’s term as commissioner

Chito Narvasa’s days as the PBA commissioner are coming to an end.

Seven PBA governors convened on a special board meeting Thursday morning at the league office in Libis and agreed to no longer endorse the renewal of term of the beleaguered executive.

Incoming PBA chairman Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX led the symposium with the majority of the Board of Governors, which addressed the situation that has hounded the league in the past weeks and ultimately opted to not support the extension of Narvasa’s commissionership.

“It’s not the trade issue anymore. It’s simply about loss of confidence,” said Fernandez.

The league was put on a bad light following Narvasa’s approval of the controversial deal between San Miguel and Kia, which sent the Picanto’s 2017 first rounder, which turned out to be top overall selection Christian Standhardinger, to the Beermen in exchange for Ronald Tubid, JayR Reyes, Rashawn McCarthy, and their 2019 first rounder.

Several teams have denounced the decision, especially TNT which issued a statement that cast doubt on Narvasa’s capabilities as the league’s chief and asked him to abdicate his post.

“If the commissioner does not see this simple perspective, he may not be the right person for the job. We are afraid as to who should be the custodian of the PBA’s overall paramount interest. He talks about parity/ equilibrium for trades, but where is it?,” the team said in a statement issued on Sunday.

The governors met a week before the league goes to its annual planning in Los Angeles on November 10.

Officials from the SMC bloc, GlobalPort, and Kia were a no-show in the board meeting.

“I tried to call them up but there was no reply,” Fernandez said.

Deputy commissioner Rickie Santos has been appointed as officer-in-charge and caretaker “to ensure continuity of league operations” until two-thirds of the Board vote on who to install as the league’s new commissioner.