Salud vows fair trades, strict monitoring of salary cap

On Day One of the Philippine Basketball Association’s 36th season, newly-installed commissioner Atty. Chito Salud showed all and sundry that he means business. “Only fair trades will be allowed and strict monitoring of salary cap will be implemented," Salud said in his public message to open the league’s first conference of the season at the packed Araneta Coliseum Sunday.

Salud's avowal came on the heels of Alaska chief executive officer and team owner Wilfred Steven Uytengsu's recent criticism of one-sided trades, alleged salary cap violations, and posers or Fil-Shams playing in the PBA. The new commissioner gave his statement in front of distinguished guests that included former PBA commissioners Atty. Rudy Salud, Renauld "Sonny" Barrios and former league chairman and Sta. Lucia Realty team manager and board representative Buddy Encarnado. The elder Salud, the father of the newly-appointed commissioner, ran the league in the so-called "Glory Years" of the PBA from 1988 to 1992. Barrios, who was replaced by the younger Salud at the end of the PBA's last season, has served the PBA from the time of the late Col. Mariano Yenko up to that of Commissioner Jun Bernardino. In 2007, Barrios was appointed officer-in-charge after then commissioner Noli Eala was forced to leave the PBA. Barrios was appointed the seventh commissioner of the league the following year. But the younger Salud was the man of the hour Sunday before the opening tip-off between the league’s crowd darling Ginebra San Miguel and the newest franchise in the PBA, the Meralco Bolts. Salud informed everyone of his platform – from the new rules he adopted to the philosophy he envisioned for the league. “My decisions will always be based on fairness and the application of a level playing field, and this is bound to stir back the confidence of the PBA fans," said Salud. Salud also encouraged the Fil-foreign players to become more active in off-court activities and be more involved with the fans. “My advice to them is to reach out to the fans so that you will be accepted," said Salud. Beauties galore in PBA opener The PBA opening drew a bevy of international and local beauties. On the sidelines stood Venus Raj, fourth runner-up in this year’s Miss Universe contest, who served as host of the event. On center stage were the respective muses of the 10 teams. Brazilian Diana Meneses of Air21 and Fil-German Bianca Bauer of Barako Bull were definitely show stealers. San Miguel Beer brought in not just one but three lovely ladies to parade with the team’s intact lineup – Sam Pinto, Isabelle Daza and Georgina Wilson. Anne Curtis of Ginebra was an expected crowd pleaser, the same with Carla Abellana of B-Meg Derby Ace. Talk N Text's muse, Jennelyn Mercado, another Kapuso Star just like Abellana, was clad in the dress she wore in the upcoming film Rosario. Alaska entered the court with Nancy Castiglione, clad in red. Rain or Shine had Coleen Garcia, who happens to be the niece of the Elasto Painters' mentor Caloy Garcia. Meralco, the newest member in the PBA, elected to parade its Liwanag Girls, accompanied by selected employees and the Caritas Kids. Powerade, formerly known as Coca-Cola, showed up with Vice Ganda, a former athlete from Far Eastern University and now a television host/comedian, who stood taller than some of the Tigers’ players. - KY/GMANews.TV