The deputy commissionership role could be vacant when the PBA heads into its golden season following a major shakeup within its highest office.
Previously the man in charge of the said position, Eric Castro has been made the head of operations, according to no less than Commissioner Willie Marcial.
“Si Mr. Eric Castro, inilagay na natin sa operations,” the league chieftain said during the pre-Season 50 presser on Wednesday at Shangri-La at The Fort.
The former coach’s transfer to another department was just part of the rigodon that Marcial’s office has undergone months after the controversial endgame of the Season 49 Philippine Cup Finals’ Game 1 between San Miguel and TNT.
The Beermen eventually reclaimed the Perpetual trophy in six games, but the series was remembered more by many for the reversal of Mo Tautua’a’s dunk in the dying seconds, which could have helped SMB take the series opener.
(C) PBA Images
Castro, who was appointed as deputy commissioner months after Marcial was named commish in 2018, also served as head of the technical group.
But that spot has been assigned to Joey Guanio, a former player-turned-executive who was once the tournament director of PBA 3×3.
Not spared from the changes as well was Bong Pascual, who has been replaced by Nol Quilingen as head of referees, Marcial disclosed.
“Si Nol Quliingen, na retired na as referee, ginawa na nating head of referees,” said Marcial during the presser attended by the Board of Governors.
Pascual, also the head of referees of the SBP Technical Academy, remains with the league but has yet to be given a new role, according to Marcial.
“Si Bong Pascual, nandiyan pa rin naman,” he said. “Pero tingnan natin kung anong maco-contribute niya sa liga.”
