Lawyers head successor list

A day after Chito Narvasa stepped down as Philippine Basketball Association commissioner, the board is set to start a “formal search” for a successor, though the names of lawyers Charlie Cuna and former UAAP commissioner Rebo Saguisag have popped up as strong candidates.

The league opened its 43rd Season on Sunday and for the first time in its history had no commissioner to run the league following the end of the impasse that had divided the 12-man board for close to two months.

Instead, the PBA board appointed long-time media bureau chief Willie Marcial as officer in charge, a post he would occupy for 30 days, according to league sources.

New PBA chair Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa made the announcement on Sunday, saying the board “is strong than ever.”

“We have to start (doing) a formal search,” a board member, who requested anonymity as he is not authorized to talk about the matter, told the Inquirer on Monday night.

“But some names coming out (strong) are Charlie Cuna and Rebo Saguisag.”

Narvasa served the PBA for two years.

Names of long-time league fixtures Tommy Manotoc, Andy Jao and Ricky Palou were also mentioned. Although they all have a wealth of experience, they are considered longshots as the board reportedly wants someone much younger.

Cuna, who also dabbles in broadcasting by doing PBA games for television, was also in the short list of candidates to replace Chito Salud in 2015, when the headhunter Global Executive Solutions was contracted for the search.

Saguisag is the first executive director of the UAAP, tasked to implement policies, support the board of trustees, supervise operations and spearhead special projects.

He graduated from the Ateneo Law School and has a sports science degree from the University of the Philippines.