After months of waiting, the Philippine Basketball Association is ready to move forward with Willie Marcial as its new leader.
PBA Chairman Ricky Vargas made the announcement on Thursday afternoon as the board unanimously voted for Marcial, who was the league’s Officer-in-Charge when the season opened.
“The highlight of our discussion is the appointment of our commissioner, the permanent commissioner of the PBA,” Vargas said.
“He’s given a term of three years, concurrently he will also be the media director of the PBA — a job he has handled for many, many years.”
Marcial is the 43-year-old league’s 10th commissioner. He replaced controversial figure Chito Narvasa, who resigned from his post during the opening of the 2017-18 Season.
Prior to this, Marcial had recommended that either a lawyer or a marketing master should be the league’s commissioner. However, the PBA’s board wanted a trusted and beloved figure to lead the league to greater heights.
“We are happy for Willie, we wish him well. We are happy for the PBA. It was an appointment without any objections. The board gave the go-signal without any objections,” Vargas disclosed.
“As you know, the PBA board has gone through a very difficult time before the opening of this season, and we were looking for somebody who can put it together and help us heal, since there will be a lot of changes as we move along.”
With Marcial as officer-in-charge, the league has received rave reviews from the masses, the players, and the stakeholders. From the return of physical play in the league, to his commitment to the national team, the league is now viewed in a better light after being in a dark place stemming from the controversial Christian Standhardinger trade that created a rift in the PBA’s board room.
“The PBA is back! I’ve heard that in social media,” quipped Vargas.
“I’m getting excited to see people in the venue really enjoying the games. To Willie, when we mentioned this to him, he accepted the challenge and he looks forward with humility on his contribution to his stint as our commissioner,” Vargas added.
“So hindi na Willie Marcial, Commissioner Marcial na. Hindi na OIC.”
