New commissioner Narvasa plans to get coaches, teams involved in improving officiating
New PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
TOKYO – Chito Narvasa said his priority is the PBA first and ball clubs next as he looks forward to help improve PBA games with fair and firm judgment, rulings and resolutions as the new commissioner of the country’s premier cage league.
Narvasa intends to work hand in hand with all the coaches, players and teams in crafting officiating guidelines that will make the games more exciting.
“It’s not me alone. The coaches, the players and teams will be more involved. How it’s going to be done? We have plans. I will explore that with the coaches,” said Narvasa, present here in his first participation in the league’s annual planning session.
As the league’s ninth commissioner after Leo Prieto, Mariano Yenko, Rudy Salud, Rey Marquez, Jun Bernardino, Noli Eala, Sonny Barrios and Chito Salud, Narvasa appointed Rickie Santos as deputy commissioner and brought along Pacita Dobles as executive assistant.
“I will be fair but I will also be firm,” said Narvasa in handling the games.
The first former player and coach to become PBA commissioner, Narvasa’s basic officiating guideline is to take away the referees’ discretion.
“You make a call or not. No judgment call. Judgment call is whether you make a call or not. It’s a lot easier to see later on, allow me some time,” he said, hopeful PBA games will be more exciting. “It will still be physical but not a wrestling match.”
With everybody on board in officiating, Narvasa expects complaining on calls will be less than before.
“If we agree on something to help each other, (complaining) will be much less. You’ll see the effort on my part. If you see that effort is not enough, just let me know. Let’s help each other. You help me and I will help you. Eventually that will be addressed,” he said.
He stressed he would put order in the playing court.
“Can you imagine the referees, just three and without relief for 48 minutes. A coach we’ll talk to him, then the assistant coach, the 12 players and even the ball boy. Then comes the governor. It shouldn’t be done. There has to be some order restored,” he pointed out.
“All the coaches are my friends and they know me. They know I will do it. I will spare no one,” said the former Ateneo stalwart who had coaching stints with Shell and Purefoods.
He is confident he can deal with the fiercest and feistiest, mentioning coach Yeng Guiao, who is a longtime friend.
“We’ve talked. He told me ‘do what you have to do and I’ll do what I have to do.’ Pero sabi pa niya, asahan mo tutulungan pa rin kita,” Narvasa said.
He said he would also be firm in dealing with player trades.
“Before we make any decision, I want to see all the papers in front of me, the facts, agreements. And I want to see the lineups, end results for both,” he said.
“I guess all the teams know my responsibility is to take care of the PBA. That’s the first priority then later on the teams. Right now I want to see Kia and Blackwater to get better (to improve the competitive balance of the league),” he added.
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