Where is Pacquiao?

Who will succeed Chito Narvasa as commissioner of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA)?

Who will be the next coach of Kia Picanto?

And, finally, where is Manny Pacquiao?

Narvasa’s term as PBA commissioner officially ends on Sunday, Dec. 31. But on Dec. 17, Narvasa resigned.

That was also the day the PBA’s 43rd season was launched—as though Narvasa’s resignation was meant to moist one’s eyes?

Indeed, all endings are mostly sad.

And Narvasa’s was no exception.

By allowing a player trade deemed detrimental to the interest of several squads, the owners of the deal-affected teams rose to oust Narvasa.

But by any yardstick of stan- dard, Narvasa had done nothing wrong. He acted within the bounds of PBA laws.

Despite that, three MVP teams (TNT, Meralco and NLEx) wanted Narvasa ousted quick, attracting Blackwater, Rain or Shine, Alaska and Phoenix to their cause. This was in October.

But Narvasa weathered the uprising when five (Magnolia, Ginebra, SMB, Kia and GlobalPort) of the 12 PBA teams came to his side, quelling the rebellion on the strength of a league rule that says eight governors are needed to either remove or retain a commissioner.

While Narvasa would eventually leave his post, TNT’s Ramoncito Fernandez also fell by the way side. The acting PBA chairman was quietly, stunningly, eased out, with Ricky Vargas emerging as his instant replacement.

The search is on for Narvasa’s replacement. A friend of mine said to me: “A senior citizen must be seriously considered because he is often with wisdom.”

I agree. Didn’t PBA founding commissioner Leo Prieto personify such a man?

It won’t be long and Chito Gavino might be replaced by Ricky Dandan as coach of Kia, now a Phoenix sister team if reports are to be believed.

And with Kia being bought(?) by Phoenix’s Dennis Uy, will Pacquao finally bow out from the Picanto lineup?

Remember, Pacquiao started out as Kia’s playing coach, sliding down as a mere player— benchwarmer if you will—in no time.

Pacquiao’s becoming a professional basketball player was all for show, though, Kia hoping Pacquiao’s entry would boost the company’s stock, if not sales. It did, I believe.

But, well, all things must pass—including the good ones.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!