Marcial named PSA Exec of Year

For successfully leading the PBA to restart its 45th season under a most unconventional way, commissioner Willie Marcial is going to be honored in the San Miguel Corp.-Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on Saturday.

The 10th commissioner of Asia’s pioneering pro league has been named Executive of the Year by the country’s sportswriting fraternity in its first-ever virtual event to be held March 27 at TV5 Media Center.

Marcial, who was also named the Decision Maker of the Year in the first Inquirer Sports Awards last month, defied the odds and bravely led the 500-plus strong PBA contingent in Clark, Pampanga province, late last year as the Philippine Cup resumed and was completed without incident in a bubble-type format.

Despite the staggering cost of P65 million and the uncertainty the league faced in the entire two-month journey, Marcial was able to right the ship that led to the completion of a season on the brink.

Marcial became the second PBA commissioner given the award by the country’s oldest media organization headed by president Tito Talao of the Manila Bulletin after Chito Salud in 2012.