IN a breakthrough development, Chito Narvasa finally tendered his resignation from the Philippine Basketball Association yesterday just prior to the opening ceremonies of the 43rd season.
Through a snap press conference before the launch of the new season, the PBA Board faced media at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in unity and announced the direction the league is going.
The league, led by chairman Ricky Vargas of TNT KaTropa, announced that Narvasa, who has been the reason of the rift between member teams as they were previously split over his tenure, submitted his resignation from his post.
In his place, the board appointed Willie Marcial as the league’s Officer in Charge.
He will lead the day-to-day operations until a new commissioner is named in the near future.
In addition, Vargas was also tasked to serve another term as the league transitions.
NLEX’s Ramoncito Fernandez, who was supposed to be the incoming chairman, will wait it out and will take his turn next season.
Narvasa was given the go signal to lead the opening ceremonies as his final task before formally stepping down.
The league was finally able to officially open its 43rd season as scheduled after continued turmoil that plagued the league’s direction for the past month.
The brand new season opened with the traditional opening ceremonies as the 12 teams paraded their players, led by their respective governors along with their respective muses, to showcase their readiness for the new horizon ahead.
As of this report, the initial game of the season and the Philippine Cup is underway as San Miguel Beer starts its title defense against retooled Phoenix Petroleum Fuelmasters.
The three-time reigning All-Filipino conference champions Beermen are once again one of the favorites for the tournament.