Eala steps down as SBP exec; Loyzaga eyed as possible replacement

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will have someone new at the helm to lead its day-to-day operations. This became clear after Noli Eala, the group’s executive director, stepped down from his post Saturday, ending months of speculation that he will be removed as one of the heads of the governing cage organization in the country. "It is with deep regret that I announce my decision to formally resign as executive director of the SBP. My decision to relinquish my post is to enable me to return to the corporate world where new opportunities have recently been opened up to me," said Eala in a statement released to media. "My resignation will take effect after a 30-day transition period to ensure the smooth and orderly turnover of my functions to my replacement." "I wish to thank all of the SBP members, our board of trustees, most especially our president Mr. Pangilinan, all our SBP officers and the entire basketball community for all their support and for according me the rare privilege to honor the sport we love. Basketball will always be in my blood and I will be forever indebted to it," Eala concluded. There were unconfirmed reports that former PBA star and now Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Chito Loyzaga is being eyed as replacement. A source privy to the matter did confirm that the group’s chief backer and president Manny V. Pangilinan met with Loyzaga, but the two didn’t discuss plans about the former Ginebra stalwart taking over a sensitive position in the cage body. "It was just a casual conversation, simpleng kuwentuhan about basketball," said the source. "Pero walang napag-usapan about Chito taking over the executive position job in the SBP." As for Eala, he is going to assume a new position in the corporate world, but didn’t reveal whether he will join San Miguel Corporation or go elsewhere. An SMC employee once saw Eala meeting with Robert Non, the head of the company’s sports affairs, late last year. Asked for confirmation, Non didn’t reply to the text messages or calls made by GMA News. Eala replaced Pato Gregorio as executive director of the SBP three years ago. The creation of the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas team, which is patterned after the fabled Northern Cement Consolidated, was a brainchild of Eala. He eventually became the team manager of the squad, but several controversies, including delays in salaries for quite sometime last year revealed by then import Jamal Sampson, who was replaced eventually, prompted top executives of the company to make some changes. The controversy led to the change of management in the Pilipinas-Smart Gilas. Eala was replaced by Frankie Lim, who moved from being the team manager of the Talk N Text Tropang Texters to team manager of Gilas. But a source privy to Eala’s resignation who requested anonymity said that Eala was "asked to resign." This is not the first time Eala faced similar circumstances. In 2007, at the height of the all-pro national team’s campaign in the FIBA Asia Championship, Eala was asked to step down as commissioner of the PBA after he was disbarred as a practicing lawyer, according to a league board member. - Rey Joble, JVP, KY, GMA News