Willie Marcial. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
Experience and expertise became Willie Marcial’s biggest asset when the PBA Board of Governors tapped him as the league’s 10th commissioner on Thursday.
“It is important that we have somebody there who grew up in the PBA, who understands the PBA and its by-laws, and who has been mentored by many of the PBA commissioners in the past,” said league chairman Ricky Vargas.
Marcial has been unanimously appointed by the Board as the new chieftain and will serve the term for the next three years.
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“(Marcial) is probably one who has learned over the years in the PBA, learning from various types of commissioners, and knows so much of what that entails. So he will bring with him that experience, he will bring with him that demeanor, as opposed to getting a fresh candidate.”
Marcial, 56, worked his way up the ranks from being a statistician during the time of Leo Prieto to serving as a floor director with TV coveror Vintage Enterprises from the commissionership of Rudy Salud to Jun Bernardino. He then joined the PBA under commissioner Noli Eala.
He has since worked closely with former PBA chiefs Sonny Barrios, Chito Salud, and Chito Narvasa, working his way up the ladder to his concurrent post as the PBA’s communications and external affairs director.
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Not only was Marcial the league’s longtime media bureau chief, Marcial also served as a special assistant to the commissioner over the years.
“We’re in a scenario such as this where we are going through a difficult situation, we are going through change. And we felt that it is very appropriate, and maybe it was God’s will, that we have somebody like Willie who will see us through in this organization through this process,” said Vargas.
With the PBA entering a new age, the Board of Governors have expressed confidence in the newly-installed commissioner as they themselves have observed the changes, with more fans regaining their trust in the PBA as evidenced by the bigger crowds trooping to the venues.
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“The PBA is back and we heard that in the social media, and we give thanks to Willie for that. I’m getting excited to see more people in the venue who are really enjoying the games,” said Vargas. “He accepted the challenge and he looks forward with humility on his contributions to his stint as our commissioner.”