WITH HEAVY HEART, PBA BOARD ACCEPTS SALUD RESIGNATION
After almost five years on the job, PBA Commissioner Chito Salud has decided to call it quits, ending a successful tenure as the league’s eighth chieftain.
“With due and respectful notice to all the team owners including my Board of Governors, I have decided to step down and relinquish my position as Commissioner at the end of the current season,” said the 52-year-old Salud in his press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena press room. “After five years being the Commissioner, I think this is the right time to pass the baton to a new and fresh leadership, a fresh face with a fresh voice, with fresh ideas that will take this league to greater heights.”
Flanked by the Board of Governors, Salud, the son of former commissioner Rudy Salud, announced his desire to step down from the post, after completing a five-year timeline of his.
“I think we’re there. In my own assessment, if whatever is left in me to contribute to the league is less than what the position calls for, then perhaps, it’s really time for me to go. And I thank every one for their support,” he said.
Under the leadership of Salud, the PBA D-League, a developmental league for amateurs bidding their time for the pro league, was formed.
The PBA also finalized a broadcasting deal with Sports5, as well as setting numerous gate attendance records throughout his tenure, including the 52,612 in the season 40-opener at the Philippiine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan last Oct. 19 which is believed to be a Philippine record for any sport.
Salud was also was a primary protagonist in the drive to field in PBA players for the Gilas Pilipinas national team, which eventually made it to the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.
Two franchises were also sold under his watch, namely Powerade in 2012 which is now GlobalPort, and Air21, the former Shopinas.com franchise, in 2014 which is not NLEX.
Just before the start of the season, two new expansion teams in Blackwater and Kia were also accepted to the league, increasing the number of teams from 10 to 12, the most ever in league history.
Salud also tinkered with trades, adjusting and shutting down transactions which he deemed unfair for one party.
When asked if there was a chance he would change his mind, he answered: “This is not about me. This is about the PBA. This is about the future of the PBA. This is about the leaders and the members of the basketball community and the fans.
“I do remember the first time when I was tasked to make the opening speech during the 36th season. I made my consultations with the fans, our team owners, and our stakeholders and what was the sentiment at the time? ‘Humihina na po ang PBA. Marami na hong kalaban. Meron ng boxing, meron ng football, marami ng mga forms of entertainment. Mga players ng PBA, di na naglalaro with heart. Gusto nila sumweldo lang.’ That was the sentiment of the time. That was then. It’s different now. Today, the PBA is stronger in its 40th year and more relevant than ever.”
PBA chairman Patrick Gregorio also announced that the Board of Governors will convene on February 26 to draft the criteria in selecting the new commissioner, and the ninth chieftain of the PBA will be announced before the end of the second conference.
“Gusto namin sa PBA, meron ng napiling bagong commissioner at the end of the second conference para may sapat na oras para mag-turnover kay Comm. Salud,” he said, voicing the Board’s acceptance of Salud’s resignation with a heavy heart. “Napakabigat. Kitang-kita natin ang performance ni Comm. Salud. Kami sa Board ay nagulat at nalulungkot. Alam naming mahirap humanap ng kapalit, pero siguro, ganyan talaga ang bola, bilog ang bola. Kailangan sikapin nating humanap ng kapalit ni Comm. Salud.”
Gregorio added, “We respect his decision. It is for himself, it is for his family. He believes it’s also good for the PBA to have a fresh start. Sabi nga nya, push it to the next level. The PBA Board will go through the process. Sama-sama kami ditong naghihirap kasama ng Commissioner at susubukan naming humanap ng bagong commissioner para sa Season 41.”
Salud, for his part, assured the Board that he will help them in every possible way that he can until the end of the season, even in the search for his replacement.
“I’m sure names will come out. Maraming lalabas na pangalan and many out there are capable, but it ought to be a consensus. The team owners should come together to choose the next Commissioner with the help of their Governors so the new Commissioner will have the full trust and confidence of the whole PBA community,” he said. “I will help in whatever capacity. Kung ano mang hingin nilang tulong, tutulong ako.”
Salud also assured the fans that the PBA will continue to support the cause of the national team, saying, “The team owners are very clear that they will fully support the national team. Whenever I talk to them about the national team, they know it’s for the fans and their desire to pull together is very, very palpable. That, I can promise you.”
For the mean time, the outgoing Commissioner said that he will still focus on his job until the end of the season.
“Definitely, I will continue to focus on this conference and the next conference,” he said. “After that, I will take a short break with my family and let’s see what lies there for me. Perhaps, a different challenge,” he said, in virtually concluding the presscon. (RL)
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