Non takes over as temporary PBA president and CEO
PBA IMAGES
With no one among its members willing to take on the positions – albeit a temporary one – of president and chief executive officer of the PBA, the league board deemed it best for the moment to hand over the reins to chairman Robert Non of San Miguel.
Non took over the twin jobs on Thursday during a special board meeting called at the league head office in Libis, Quezon City specifically to tackle the significant positions left vacant following the surprise resignation of Atty. Chito Salud last Tuesday.
The presidency and CEO posts were offered to the 12 board members – two of them were representatives – none of whom though was willing to take over.
“It was open for everyone to take,” said league media bureau chief Willie Marcial, who was present during the meeting.
For the matter to move forward, Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua later suggested the positions be offered instead to former chairman Patrick Gregorio of Talk ‘N Text, current vice chairman Eric Arejola of Globalport, and Non.
Gregorio and Arejola couldn’t commit of handling both positions owing to their busy load as senior vice-president of Maynilad Water and grounds operations chief of AirAsia, respectively.
That left Non as the remaining choice to replace Salud for the moment, a move endorsed by Atty. Mamerto Mondragon of Rain or Shine, Siliman Sy of Balckwater, and Manny Mendoza of Barako Bull and fully supported by the collegial body.
“Usually naman in the corporate world, kapag nagbitiw ‘yung president or CEO, ang chairman ang temporary na mag-aasume nung posisyon until a replacement is made,” said Marcial.
Non said the board will come up with a list of possible personalities and screen the candidates themselves to determine Salud’s successor, whose resignation takes effect until the end of the year.
The chairman said the board accepted Salud’s resignation with a heavy heart, tried as he may convincing the former league commissioner of staying put at least for the rest of the season or even, shortly after the season-opening Philippine Cup is through.
“Ayaw niya (Salud) talaga. Pagbigyan na lang daw namin siya,” said Non about his conversation with Salud.
Even with Non around, Marcial said the board is definitely on the lookout for the man suited for the two high-profiled PBA posts.
“Kung may mapili agad, di mas ok. Basta the sooner the board finds a replacement, the better,” he said.
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