Pro league to tackle sale of Sta. Lucia

(From Manila Standard)   

PHILIPPINE Basketball Association Chairman Rene Pardo said the sale of the Sta. Lucia Realty franchise to Meralco is likely to be formalized during the board of governors’ meeting on Aug. 10.

Pardo said it was sad to see the departure of former chairman and Sta. Lucia Realty governor Buddy Encarnado, who has been associated with the PBA for the past 18 years.

After months of speculation, the deal was finalized last Friday with the payment of the final installment by Meralco. The approval of the PBA board is likely to be a mere formality.

However, there was some good news for the PBA concerning another troubled franchise – Barako Bull, whose board representative lawyer Manny Mendoza informed the board that they plan to participate in the coming 2010-2011 season.

“We asked them outright what their plans were because it would be difficult if they suddenly leave,” said Pardo.

However, he disclosed that Commissioner Sonny Barrios had spoken to Barako Bull team owner George Chua and he had signified their intention to participate.

Pardo pointed out that the co-branding plan, which the PBA is formalizing, “would allow teams to accept a subsidiary or a non-competitive company,” which would be allowed to use their logo on the playing jerseys and help the team financially in exchange for the exposure.

The chairman said it was done in the on-going conference on an experimental basis, with Harbour Center of Mikee Romero teaming up with Barako Bull.

Ramos, Gregorio take over Alvarez’s dual roles with Express

(From GMA News)

Yohann Ramos, president of some of the companies under the Lina Group, and Allan Gregorio, member of the coaching staff of the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas, were tapped to replace Lito Alvarez’s dual functions with the Air21 Express in the Philippine Basketball Association.

An unimpeachable source told GMANews.TV that Ramos, president of Mail and More and the Lina Group’s traveling agency -- Lina Group's Travel and Tours – will be the Express’ new board governor.

Gregorio, whose family is very much involved in the local basketball circuit, will be the new team manager. His two brothers also hold key positions in the PBA. Ryan is the head coach of the B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados (formerly Purefoods) while Patrick or “Pato" is the alternate board governor of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters, and also the chairman of Smart Sports.

But Allan is no stranger to basketball. He was a former corporate executive of Air21 while also working as assistant coach on its basketball team. Heeventually became head coach of the company’s farm team in the Philippine Basketball League – Burger King.

Presently, Allan is a member of the Smart-Gilas national developmental pool coaching staff.

Ramos and Gregorio will be tasked to take over the team’s affair ably handled by Alvarez for the past nine seasons.

Alvarez will assume higher post in the government – as commissioner of the Bureau of Customs.

The 52-year-old Alvarez, who worked as the Chief Operating Officer of Air21 the past 20 years, was sworn in at 10 a.m. Tuesday by Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima at his Department of Finance office.

At the same time, Alvarez, who served as senior auditor of Sycip,Gorres, Velayo & Co. , has relinquished his post as chairman of the PBA. B-Meg Derby Ace board governor Rene Pardo has taken over his post as chairman of the board.

Alvarez will assume official functions during formal turnover rites at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bureau of Customs, with Purisima and outgoing Customs commissioner Napoleon Morales present.

He will take his oath of office with President Noynoy Aquino at 2 p.m. Thursday in Malacañang.

His first marching orders, Alvarez said, are to “meet revenue goals, work in close coordination with the Bureau of Internal Revenue to prevent tax leakages, and identify smugglers."

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios was elated when told of Alvarez’s appointment.

“I am pleased and proud to hear the news," said Barrios. “My exposure to him and his work ethic in the PBA gives me confidence that he has the necessary tools to do well in his job, so he can significantly contribute to nation building."

Pardo shares Barrios' views.

"He is highly qualified and will be an asset to the BoC because Lito is a good manager and he has proven that with the Air21 team," Pardo said.

PBA Safe in Chito's Hands, Says Barrios

(From GMA News)

Outgoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios believes his likely successor – deputy commissioner Atty. Chito Salud – has the best qualities among other possible candidates for the league's top post.

"I believe being a leader, a lawyer, a former corporate/government agency head and being a son of a former commissioner gives Chito the big advantage over other possible commissioner candidates," Barrios told GMANews.TV.

"And I would say, the PBA is safe in the hands of Atty. Chito."

Atty. Chito Salud, was given an orientation and familiarization by the staff of the Office of the Commissioner the past few days.

Atty. Chito's father, Atty. Rudy Salud, is the founding legal counsel and former PBA commissioner.

Barrios said that the younger Salud brings in a refreshing look to the PBA and his ideas will be beneficial for the league.

Part of Atty. Salud’s immediate thrust, according to Barrios, will be the upcoming annual rookie draft, rookie camp, and the processing of draft applicants, all the way to the pre-season tournaments.

"While I am taking care of the remainder of the Fiesta Cup, Atty. Salud is looking for a brighter future of the PBA and one of the important things he mentioned is to save and enhance the PBA properties," added Barrios.

Barrios took charge of running the league in August 2007 as the officer-in-charge following the untimely resignation of then PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

The younger Salud then joined Barrios in the latter’s first four months in the PBA.

This is not the first time Barrios took over as officer-in-charge.

In 2001, he became the officer-in-charge of the league as then commissioner Jun Bernardino decided to take a leave because of health issues. Barrios was named the Executive of the Year at the end of the PBA season.

While Salud's appointment was welcomed by the board, a cage executive, who requested anonymity, had his own opinion regarding the matter .

"They (the board members) should have listed other names rather than immediately appoint someone who holds a key position," said the cage executive.

But Barrios sees a good future in Atty. Salud, who knows the history of the PBA.

"I remember him saying to mediamen that his first work in the PBA is as ball boy for then commissioner Leo Prieto," said Barrios.

"But honestly, Atty. Salud is a good leader, having served as a leader ever since his when he was with Ateneo all the way to the time he became a corporate/government agency executive. He got a bird’s eye view on how we operate things in the PBA and I’m sure, he also learned a thing or two from his father, former commissioner Rudy Salud. He has the best of both worlds, so to speak."

Simpson Height Case Decided With Finality

(From GMA News)

Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Sonny Barrios finally put an end to speculation that Alaska import Diamon Simpson is taller than the 6-foot-6 height limit for imports.

Barrios confirmed that he received comments regarding Simpson, but the outgoing commissioner said that the issue had already been decided with finality.

�It�s final. Simpson can play and he was already measured with finality, so we cannot contest it anymore," said Barrios Thursday in a telephone interview. �The most logical thing to do to avoid such another case is to come up with a more sharpened and more refined process in measuring imports in the future."

The former National Basketball Developmental League stalwart looks bigger, probably an inch or more, than the rest of his counterparts in a tournament where imports should not go over the 6-foot-6 height limit.

This is the reason coaches Jong Uichico of Barangay Ginebra and Ryan Gregorio of B-Meg Derby Ace Llamados cast their doubts on Simpson�s true height measurement and they voiced out their opinion to GMANews.TV

Simpson, listed 6-foot-7 in the United States, was measured 6-foot-5 15/16 inches when all the new reinforcements in the league were advised to undergo measurement procedure prior to the start of the tournament.

Although the import passed the test, there were still questions about his true height.

�We were represented by coach Allan (Caidic) and he voiced his opinion regarding the matter. It wasn�t a blatant protest as we respect Alaska�s representative and the import being measured," Uichico said in a telephone interview.

�There was a final measurement made and those who conducted the measurement claimed he passed the test. We can�t make any action because our representatives are mere observers and we didn�t file any protest. But we were able to exchange thoughts with other coaches several times � that Simpson looks big and may not be 6-foot-6," added Uichico.

Uichico said that his team once experienced losing an import, who failed the measurement test.

�Ryan Humphrey was our original import previous conferences ago. He was measured in the morning and was sent home at night because he failed the test," Uichico added.

Another member of a coaching staff who requested anonymity also said that �Simpson stood side by side with B-Meg Derby Ace slotman Raffi Reavis, who is listed above 6-foot-6.

The source added that Reavis was �slightly shorter than the import."

For Gregorio, he believes Simpson is taller than 6-foot-6.

�I have an impression that Simpson is not 6-foot-6. He was listed 6-foot-7 in the United States barefooted and shrunk few inches when he was measured here," said Gregorio.

Alaska team manager and team board governor Joaqui Trillo explained that Simpson has a wingspan of a seven-footer, which is why the import looks bigger than his actual size.

�He was measured and he made the height limit. His arms are very long that makes him look tall. He has the wingspan of a seven-footer," said Trillo in a text message.

Uichico suggested that perhaps the league should come up with a more stricter measuring procedure among imports in next season�s import-laden conference, a suggestion that was given affirmation by Barrios.

�The board suggested if it�s ok that we come up with a more refined measurement procedure starting next season�s import-laden conference," said Barrios. �Somebody from the board also came up with a suggestion wherein the team representatives during the measurement will have the veto power to contest during the procedure."

�We didn�t come up with that idea before as we have to consider other factors. We are avoiding possible chaotic scenarios such as getting continuous complains that might delay the whole process," he added.

Arboleda Must Comply With PBA Requirements

(From GMA News)


Suspended veteran Air21 guard Wynne Arboleda has a good chance of making a comeback sooner than expected in the ongoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Fiesta Cup.


But the stocky point guard will still have to comply with the requirements requested by PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.


“Wynne still has to submit documentations we asked from him. Once submitted, we will evaluate said documents and deliberate on his appeal," Barriols told GMANews.TV in a text message.


But Air21 team manager Lito Alvarez believes that Arboleda’s recent involvement in one of the PBA’s community project is an indication that he will be reinstated soon. Barrios reportedly delegated Arboleda for a community service initiated by the league.


“I expect him to be back in the coming days. In fact, commissioner Barrios even assigned Wynne in a community service last Sunday," Alvarez said in a telephone interview.


Alvarez, who helped Joey Lina’s gubernatorial bid in Laguna province, added that the Office of the Commissioner asked Arboleda to submit a certificate of his involvement in the league’s community service.


Arboleda was given a season-long ban by the PBA after attacking a paying fan, who even filed charges against the burly quarterback.


The Express hinted of Arboleda’s comeback when they put him in their active roster and the pride of Kalibo, Aklan getting overwhelming response when he started a signature campaign.


The absence of Arboleda had certainly hurt the Express’ campaign this season. In the Philippine Cup, the Express failed to advance past the elimination round and continue to struggle in the ongoing Fiesta Cup where the team languished at the bottom of the standings with a 1-8 win-loss card.