PBA executives pick 3 AFC contenders
THE CHEF at the Manila Diamond Hotel where the PBA held its preseason press conference must have mixed a few drops of truth serum on the thick green pea soup served for lunch that Monday.
As far back as I can remember, team officials from governors to coaches, have always been shy and non-committal about evaluating the strength of the opponent, especially if it is to be done openly.
That’s why I was surprised that a scribe got straight answers when he asked the governors to name the three teams they thought would be the top contenders in the forthcoming All-Filipino Conference which starts this Oct. 3.
The governors on the presidential table composed of the executive board—treasurer JB Baylon of Coke-Powerade, vice chair lawyer Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine and chair Rene Pardo of B-Meg Derby Ace—had identical answers.
The contenders are Alaska, San Miguel Beer and Talk ‘N Text, not necessarily in that order.
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For the first time in a long, long while, the board came in full force—well, almost—to the credit of new league commissioner Chito Salud, who made sure everyone was properly informed of the event.
Eight of 10 is not bad at all, I assured Chito who looked dapper in a dark-colored business suit. I told him it’s been quite a while since I witnessed such a big board turnout in a press conference.
Only Johann Ramos of Air21 and Joaqui Trillo of Alaska were missing. Joaqui was excused because he was deep into the preparations for his team’s grand 25th anniversary celebration scheduled the following day.
In past years, only the board chair and maybe one or at most two members of the executive committee usually attended the league’s biggest press conference.
The governors were all dressed in business suits.
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According to chair Pardo, last season’s MVP James Yap is a doubtful starter in the first few games of B-Meg, since he is still recuperating from a nasal operation.
James had to be rushed back to the hospital twice after the surgery for profuse bleeding.
“He will be ready to play, most likely after the second week of October, but he will need to wear a mask for protection,” Mang Pards said.
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Fiba secretary general Patrick Baumann has nominated SBP executive director Noli Eala to the Fiba’s legal commission.
Baumann, himself a lawyer, submitted his recommendation to the Fiba Central Board which has the power to appoint members of the various commissions.
Dr. Raul Canlas, for example, was installed by the central board as a member of the Medical Council which he now heads.
From what I heard, Baumann’s recommendation is currently on hold. While Baumann can recommend anybody for practically any position in the central board, Fiba-Asia has questioned why Baumann did not consult it before submitting Eala’s name.
The SBP is under Fiba-Asia.
I was informed that Fiba-Asia president Sheikh Saud of Qatar, Fiba-Asia sec-gen Dato Yeoh Choo Hock of Malaysia and lady official Xu Lan of China are all members of the Fiba Central Board, through which an Asian candidate for any position will have to pass through before he or she is appointed.
Will Eala make it? My informant said the matter will be taken up in another three months or so.
