SPORTS analyst Chino Trinidad ended speculations on Tuesday after formally announcing his “immediate” resignation as Philippine Basketball League (PBL) commissioner.
At the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) forum in Manila, Trinidad said he is quitting his post to “take on a new challenge” in life.
“It’s time for me to take on a new challenge and at the same time, find a new leader for PBL,” he said.
The 41-year-old PBL executive was seen busy on his broadcast career, the last of which was his coverage of the WBO welterweight fight between Manny Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Aside from that, Trinidad expressed dismay over the handling of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on improving the landscape of Philippine basketball, especially in developing raw local talents.
The son of veteran sports analyst Recah Trinidad conceded that there are more people who are capable of bringing back the international glory days of the country’s most popular sport.
Chino however dismissed rumors of him turning back on basketball altogether.
“I will stay sa PBL on an unofficial capacity...anytime na lumapit sila para humingi ng tulong, andito lang naman ako,” he said.
He believes that there are more “brilliant” people who are capable to run the affairs of PBL for it to achieve “greater heights.”
Chino said he will leave the decision to the PBL board in naming his successor in the amateur basketball league, which he led since 2000.
The commissioner said the PBL board asked him of a shortlist of nominees but he told the board to make a public announcement instead about the nominations.
“I suggested na huwag na lang Q and A (question-and-answer) format, dapat pag pinatawag ang mga nominees, presentation na lang kaagad ng mga plano and then let the board decide the merits,” Chino said, adding that he has not yet endorsed potential nominees.
When asked about the possible retrenchment of his staff, Chino put a hands-off stance on the issue.
“The appointees are co-terminus with me, just like in any other organization. We serve at the mercy of the board. It is all up to the board to decide the next steps of the PBL...perhaps after this season ends, dun na dapat mag-assess ang board.”
Meanwhile, the commissioner said he will let history judge him about his decade-stint in the league.
“Mahirap magsabi sa inyo ng legacy dahil tantamount ito sa pagbubuhat ng bangko. History will judge me kung paano ko hinandle ang 10 years ng PBL.”
Chino proposed that PBL executive director Butch Maniego will act as “transitory commissioner” to allow smooth transfer of duties and responsibilities to the next leadership.
It was Maniego who revealed two weeks ago that Chino was just waiting for the perfect time to announce his resignation, citing disappointments over the delays on the start of the PBL season.
The league is currently holding semifinal matches for the 2010 PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup season. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)