Hizon in, Seigle out of final 4 PBA commissioner candidates

MANILA, Philippines – The candidates for the next commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has been reduced to four, the league announced on Thursday, April 16.

According to the PBA, the remaining candidates to take over the job from current commissioner Chito Salud are Rickie Santos, Vince Hizon, Jay Adalem, and Chito Narvasa.

Santos is currently the operations director of the PBA while Adalem is the finance committee chair of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and co-founder of the National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (NAASCU).

Hizon used to play in the PBA and is currently the commissioner for the recently-formed FilSports Basketball Association.

Unlike the three aforementioned candidates, Narvasa was not part of the six candidates initially announced by the PBA. 

Narvasa used to coach in the PBA and is currently the president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines. He has served prior stints as the commissioner for collegiate leagues like the UAAP and NCAA.

PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio says Narvasa was included in the final four list after the PBA Board revisited the criteria for the job.

Salud, who will become the CEO of the PBA after withdrawing his position as commissioner, will talk to each of the candidates before a final decision is made, with May 15 being the target date for the announcement.

Besides working with Salud, the new commissioner must also be able to commit to joining PBA games on a 24/7 basis; have technical understanding of the game and officiating; should be a respected figure in the industry; and have leadership abilities.

The next commissioner will also oversee the PBA Developmental League (D-League).

PBA commentator Charlie Cuna, current Talk ’N Text Tropang Texter Danny Seigle, and former NBA China and Taiwan official Mark Fischer were in the list of final six candidates. – Rappler.com