Narvasa issue unresolved as board leaves for US

The issue on PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa’s tenure remained unresolved after a full-board meeting set to reach an accord prior to the board’s departure for the US broke up with three members begging off from the annual planning session.

Before leaving for the US, the PBA governors met Wednesday but failed to reach any agreement after the two opposing blocs stood firm on their stands, leaving Narvasa’s fate in the air.

The bulk of the delegation is departing for Los Angeles via a PAL flight tonight.

No longer joining the trip are TNT KaTropa’s Patrick Gregorio, Rain or Shine’s Mert Mondragon and Phoenix Petroleum’s Raymond Zorrilla.

Some members doubt if they can resolve anything in the trip.

Among those up for approval are the formal transfer of league chairmanship from Mikee Romero of GlobalPort to Ramoncito Fernandez of NLEX and the proposed calendar for the 2017-18 season.

And in the air with Narvasa’s term is the commissioner’s plans and programs for the coming PBA season.

The main conflict arises on the contradicting interpretations of the two groups in a certain provision in the league by-laws regarding the tenure of the commissioner.

Seven governors oppose the extension of Narvasa’s contract. They represent the three MVP/ PLDT franchises – TNT, Meralco and NLEX – and four independent teams Rain or Shine, Phoenix, Blackwater and Alaska.

Governors of San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra, Star, Kia and GlobalPort, meanwhile, are in favor of retaining Narvasa.

One group contends that under the PBA bylaws, the commissioner’s term is considered expired at the end of every season and it will require a 2/3 vote for his reappointment. However, a contrary interpretation is a 2/3 vote is necessary when expelling a commissioner or appointing a new one.

As of yesterday, a source said Narvasa still intends to fight for the proper procedure to be followed.

The same source also said Narvasa will go on with the US trip.