PBA board remains at impasse after LA trip
F2 spikers risk unbeaten run
LOS ANGELES — The PBA board of governors’ version of LA Confidential came within a flicker of getting blown to bits Wednesday after comments attributed to a team owner belonging to the so-called Group of Seven filtered into online media with the effect of squirting fuel to an already volatile ceasefire.
Within minutes of the quotes circulating, alarm bells went off and the initial reaction took some effort to put out. But it was all smoke and ashes by the time a group which pushed through with the trip left on a bus for Las Vegas at noon.
The agreed armistice was breached briefly but several board members from both sides were quick to restore order.
With the 12 league governors committing to maintain an Omerta-like silence after a scheduled program and planning session in LA was aborted as a majority group refused to take part following an impasse in deciding the fate of PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa, quotes reportedly coming from Blackwater Elite owner Dioceldo Sy threw “everything we’ve been working for back to square one.”
The sentiment came from an aghast team official who nonetheless insisted that the truce struck between seven ballclubs aligned in the so-called MVP bloc – TNT KaTropa, Meralco, NLEX, Phoenix, Alaska, Rain or Shine and Blackwater, and five banded together in the SMC bloc – San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Star, Globalport and Kia, be kept in place at all cost.
“We may have a stalemate in other matters, but some things have to push through, like the December 17 opening [of the 43rd PBA season.],” the official said.
A looming lockout, which could happen if neither group budges from its rigid position, was allayed and stoked at the same time by the Elite honcho’s pronouncement even as he disclosed that a selection committee has been formed to scout for Narvasa’s successor, a claim that drew some dispute.
While the ambitious planning session failed to take off, one scheduled activity did get off ground after Alaska governor Dickie Bachmann, the incoming vice chairman, arranged for a group of sportswriters, along with Blackwater alternate governor Silliman Sy and the PBA's media and marketing officers, to watch an NBA game between the LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday night at the Staples Center.
“This allowed us the opportunity to watch not only an NBA game live but experience exciting off-game activities as well,” said Bachmann.
F2 Logistics aims to remain unbeaten in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix when it takes on Generika-Ayala today at The Arena in San Juan City.
The Cargo Movers go for their fourth victory in the 7 p.m. match with the Lifesavers and maintain their status as the only team without a loss in the import-laden tournament following defending champion Foton’s 25-21, 25-22, 12-25, 25-20 loss to Petron two days ago.
Petron moved into second place at 5-1 while Foton dropped to third at 4-1.
F2 expects a tough battle with Generika, which seeks to break its three-way logjam with Cocolife and Cignal in the middle standings. The Lifesavers share a 2-3 record with the Asset Managers and HD Spikers, respectively.
Coach Ramil de Jesus’ F2 squad enters the match without dropping a single set during their wins over Petron, Sta. Lucia and Cocolife.
Foreign reinforcements Kennedy Bryan and Maria Jose Gonzales Perez will continue to fuel the Cargo Movers, but local forces in former La Salle standouts Aby Maraño, Majoy Baron, Kim Dy, setter Kim Fajardo and libero Dawn Macandili will strengthen their core.