Following one of the most tumultuous off-seasons in the history of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), embattled commissioner Chito Narvasa has resigned from his post.
Ricky Vargas of Talk ‘N Text, the new chairman of the PBA Board of Governors, announced in a brief press conference on Sunday afternoon that Narvasa submitted his resignation earlier in the day – hours before the league was set to open its 43rd season.
Vargas, who assumed chairmanship of the board after TNT switched terms with NLEX, said that they repaired their fractured relationship with Narvasa before he submitted his resignation, which was effective on Sunday.
“We thanked him for all of his contributions to the PBA,” said Vargas, who will thus chair the board for the league’s 43rd season instead of Mon Fernandez, the team governor of NLEX.
“However, the PBA Board, in a resolution passed today, asked Chito Narvasa to stay until the end of the year,” he added.
Thus, Narvasa will stay on as commissioner until December 31, and will help the board during its transition period.
In the meantime, Willie Marcial, the communications and external affairs director of the league, has been appointed as the officer-in-charge.
Vargas’ announcement came just minutes before the PBA was set to usher in its new season at the Araneta Coliseum.
The TNT official stressed that despite the controversy that hounded the league in the past couple of months, the board now stands united, and ready to open a new chapter in the history of the league.
“We’re back together, stronger than ever,” said Vargas, who was joined by the entire board during his brief speech at the press room at the Big Dome.
“This is the PBA Board of Governor that will serve its term in the 43rd PBA season,” he added.
Vargas credited Ginebra’s Alfrancis Chua, Kia’s Bobby Rosales, Meralco’s Al Panlilio, and former TNT governor Pato Gregorio as the ones who made a resolution between the two clashing parties of the board possible.
“We’re stronger than ever, and we will stay like that as we begin the healing process. This is all for the fans,” Vargas declared.
