Rising from the ranks, Marcial tasked to heal the PBA

Willie Marcial. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

From statistician, to the TV coverage’s floor director and now commissioner, Willie Marcial, a 56-year-old from Batangas, has literally risen from the ranks and has the biggest task associated with the job.

“He’ll help us through, he’ll be the healing commissioner,” chair Ricky Vargas said of Marcial, who got the full nod of the board in a meeting on Thursday at the league’s offices in Libis, Quezon City.

“As you all know, the PBA has gone through a difficult process before the start of the season, and we’re looking for somebody that can put it (back) together and help us in the healing process,” Vargas said in the statement as Marcial was, unlike many others before him, given a multiyear contract.

“I would just like to thank the board for the opportunity,” Marcial told reporters after his appointment as he quickly buckled down to work by meeting with his staff and various departments of the Commissioner’s Office.

Marcial was given a three-year term, something unheard of as the board, in the past, had evaluated the performance of every commissioner after every season.

“At this time, it’s important to give it to somebody who grew up in the PBA, who understands the PBA,” the statement said. “He’s one who’s learned over the years in the PBA.”

The board did not go through the usual selection process in arriving at its decision to tap Marcial, after the body was literally divided into two over the tenure of Chito Narvasa, whom Marcial served as special assistant and media bureau head.

That is exactly the “healing process” that Vargas is talking about, and it is a huge task that Marcial would have to accomplish.

Marcial has the temperament and experience to lead the PBA, having worked his way up with a hands-on approach to every task he was assigned.

He kicked off his stint as officer-in-charge by forming a group to study trade proposals.