PBA safe in Chito's hands, says Barrios

Outgoing Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Sonny Barrios believes his likely successor – deputy commissioner Atty. Chito Salud – has the best qualities among other possible candidates for the league's top post. "I believe being a leader, a lawyer, a former corporate/government agency head and being a son of a former commissioner gives Chito the big advantage over other possible commissioner candidates," Barrios told GMANews.TV. "And I would say, the PBA is safe in the hands of Atty. Chito." Atty. Chito Salud, was given an orientation and familiarization by the staff of the Office of the Commissioner the past few days. Atty. Chito's father, Atty. Rudy Salud, is the founding legal counsel and former PBA commissioner. Barrios said that the younger Salud brings in a refreshing look to the PBA and his ideas will be beneficial for the league. Part of Atty. Salud’s immediate thrust, according to Barrios, will be the upcoming annual rookie draft, rookie camp, and the processing of draft applicants, all the way to the pre-season tournaments.

"While I am taking care of the remainder of the Fiesta Cup, Atty. Salud is looking for a brighter future of the PBA and one of the important things he mentioned is to save and enhance the PBA properties," added Barrios. Barrios took charge of running the league in August 2007 as the officer-in-charge following the untimely resignation of then PBA commissioner Noli Eala. The younger Salud then joined Barrios in the latter’s first four months in the PBA. This is not the first time Barrios took over as officer-in-charge. In 2001, he became the officer-in-charge of the league as then commissioner Jun Bernardino decided to take a leave because of health issues. Barrios was named the Executive of the Year at the end of the PBA season. While Salud's appointment was welcomed by the board, a cage executive, who requested anonymity, had his own opinion regarding the matter . "They (the board members) should have listed other names rather than immediately appoint someone who holds a key position," said the cage executive. But Barrios sees a good future in Atty. Salud, who knows the history of the PBA. "I remember him saying to mediamen that his first work in the PBA is as ball boy for then commissioner Leo Prieto," said Barrios. "But honestly, Atty. Salud is a good leader, having served as a leader ever since his when he was with Ateneo all the way to the time he became a corporate/government agency executive. He got a bird’s eye view on how we operate things in the PBA and I’m sure, he also learned a thing or two from his father, former commissioner Rudy Salud. He has the best of both worlds, so to speak." - JVP, GMANews.TV