Fresh ideas needed from next PBA Commissioner says outgoing Chito Salud

15 February 2015 at 6:09 am

PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio sits beside outgoing PBA Commissioner Chito Salud during the press conference. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

With the PBA’s Board of Governors behind him, Commissioner Chito Salud officially announced that he would be stepping down from his spot at the end of the ongoing season.

After five years as PBA Commissioner, Salud will finish his stint at the end of the league’s 40th season.

“After five years as commissioner, I believe the time is right to pass the baton to a new and fresh leadership, a fresh face with a fresh voice and fresh ideas that will take the league to greater heights,” Salud said in a press conference at the Mall of Asia Arena.

“There will be a proper time to acknowledge the members of the PBA family and our friends in media whose selfless and generous support I shall always be grateful for. In the meantime, we remain focused on our task of running the league and constantly improving the quality of games we deliver to our fans.”

Asked whether there was truth to the rumor that he’s leaving his spot to run for office in 2016, Salud answered in the negative.

“Politics? No. Let’s leave that to the experts,” he said.

Salud was named the PBA Commissioner back in 2010 after Sonny Barios

“’Humihina na po ang PBA. Marami nang kalaban dahil may boxing at football na.’ That was the sentiment at the time,” Salud recalled.

“It’s different now. The PBA is stronger on its 40th year and more relevant then ever.”

PBA Chairman Pato Gregorio announces that the Board of Governors has accepted PBA Commissioner Chito Salud's resignation. (Czeasar Dancel/NPPA Images)

PBA Chairman Patro Gregorio was also in the press conference to announce that they have accepted Salud’s resignation which will take effect at the end of the third conference.

“Ang suporta namin kay Commissioner Chito Salud ay buong-buo. Ang presence namin dito ay patunay na kami ay natuwa sa kanyang performance,” Gregorio said. “Yes, we have formally accepted the resignation of Commissioner Chito Salud effective at the end of the season.”

Gregorio added that the Board of Governors would meet on February 26.

“Bubuuin namin ang criteria para malaman natin kung sino ang hahanapin natin sa PBA bilang susunod sa Commissioner,” the PBA Chairman said. “By the end of the second conference dapat mayroon na tayong bagong Commissioner para may sapat sa oras for Commissioner Salud to turn over.”

Gregorio and Salud both refused to mention names that could be in the running as the ninth Commissioner in the PBA's 40th year history.