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Webb, Big J top picks for post
By Nelson Beltran
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Two former senators loomed as frontrunners in the search for the PBAs officer-in-charge (OIC) and full-time commissioner.
Freddie Webb, a former player, coach, city councilor, congressman and senator whose passion for sports never wavers, has appeared a cinch to become the officer-in-charge taking over the job left by resigned PBA commissioner Noli Eala.
But sources said that Robert Jaworski, another former senator known as the PBAs Living Legend for being the face of the league in the 70s and early 80s , enjoys tremendous support from the board to become the pro loops full-time commissioner.
Webb is reportedly assured of seven votes as the PBA board of governors meets Monday to name the man who will be entrusted the job of running the daily affairs of the premier league.
Four other personalities in former PBA executive director Sonny Barrios, UAAP commissioner Ed Cordero, womens national coach Fritz Gaston and corporate man Lambert Ramos made it to the short list of candidates for the job.
Webb, an Olympian and former YCO player who also called the shots for Shell, said he welcomes the chance to make the league stronger.
He has good quality and great stature. He has so much experience being a former athlete who dabbled into entertainment and politics and had as much success as a sportsman. He also has good public relations, said one governor.
The mans ready for the job. He can make great decisions, said another governor.
Incoming board chair vice chairman Joaqui Trillo, whose team Alaska is to host the board meeting Monday at New World Hotel in Makati, expects the selection of the OIC to be a short process.
The board has said the OIC will serve on an interim capacity but may be tapped as the permanent commissioner depending on his performance on the transition period.
I know Ill do well, Webb has told The STAR, Itll be a challenge for me and I like challenges. My position is without the public, the PBA is nothing so Ill do what I can to keep public interest always on a high note.
After naming the OIC, incoming board chair Tony Chua said they will form a special committee to work on the search for the permanent commissioner.
While Webb appeared a shoo-in to be the IOC, Jaworski is being considered as candidate to hold the rein in the league for the long haul.
A source said Jaworskis long-time association with the league and stature as one of pro loops big stars in the past could work in his favor.
He was among the first PBA players to endorse commercial brands so he had proven marketing skills. He has tested managerial skills, too, being a long-time player-coach in the PBA and former senator so we really think theres nobody better fit for the job as new commissioner, he added.
Jaworski, who has a standing offer to coach the Air21 Express, is to return from the United States Wednesday.
"What goes around,comes around..."
