Boxing next for retired PBL chief

Source: By Joaquin Henson (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from retiring after a 10-year tenure as PBL commissioner, Chino Trinidad said yesterday while focused on a career as a broadcaster with the GMA network, he plans to be involved in boxing.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be dissociated from sports,” said the 42-year-old Trinidad. “As a broadcaster, my dream is to develop into a Mike Enriquez, a well-rounded commentator widely respected for his competence, work ethic, courage and energy. But while I hope to prove myself in fields outside of sports, I know what is closest to my heart. I realize somehow, I will continue to be in sports – boxing, in particular. And I’ve found in over six years of covering Manny Pacquiao’s fights in the US, a challenge to discover more Filipino world champions. I’ve seen how boxing has brought honor and glory to our country, how it has provided a way out of poverty for our fighters.”

Trinidad said his eyes were opened during his last close-up coverage of Pacquiao training for Joshua Clottey. “I spent 45 straight days in the US,” he went on. “I learned the ins and outs of boxing. With my exposure, I think I can play the role of a facilitator who can connect Filipino prospects with international trainers and promoters.”

Trinidad said his idea is to hold boxoffs in six weight divisions – lightflyweight, flyweight, bantamweight, featherweight, superfeatherweight and lightweight.

“We’ll hold tryouts in major boxing centers around the country and choose 10 fighters for every division then we’ll trim the list to four and finally, to one each,” said Trinidad. “With the support of the GMA network, I’m confident we can get this done. The reward is to give our fighters the chance to reach the top. The challenge is for the fighters to be like Manny, work like Manny and fight like Manny. Once we identify the six fighters, we’ll bring them to the US and contract a trainer willing to spend time with them.”

Former two-time world champion Gerry Peñalosa has agreed to join Trinidad in the project. “Our role won’t be to manage or promote any fighter,” said Trinidad. “We’ll just facilitate. I’m hoping that in the course of the careers of our six chosen fighters, the GMA network will follow their progress and document their climb to the top.”

Trinidad said working in the PBL was an experience he will always cherish.

“I’ve retired without leaving any baggage, with my reputation intact,” said Trinidad. “Because of my work with the GMA network, I felt it wasn’t right to hold on to my position in the PBL. I’m not the type to short-change anybody. After 10 years with the PBL, I thought it was time to move on.”

Trinidad said his tenure in the PBL was marked by several successes but qualified that he’s not claiming credit. “It wasn’t me but everyone cooperating to sustain the league,” said Trinidad. “I’m grateful to the owners of past and present teams for their trust and confidence. It was an honor for me to work with leaders of industry like Mr. Ramon Ang, Mr. Manny Pangilinan, Mr. Cecilio Pedro, Mr. Dioceldo Sy, Mr. Rey Oben, Mr. Terry Que, Mr. Raymund Yu, Mr. Mikee Romero and many, many more. Through the years, we’ve seen PBL teams become PBA teams and PBL players become PBA players. It’s a feeling of satisfaction that you get when you trace how far PBL players have gone in their careers, especially undrafted PBA players like Chad Alonzo, Dennis Daa, Chico Lanete, Josh Urbiztondo, Christian Coronel and Jerwin Gaco.”

Trinidad said when the PBL was formed in 1983, the intention was to provide a platform for amateur players to hone their skills and prepare them for the PBA. “Our objective was to develop amateur basketball,” he continued. “We never wanted to compete with the PBA. So when the GAB tried to call us a professional league in the 1990s, we objected. We eventually resolved the identity crisis and established the PBL’s amateur status as the GAB backed off.”

Trinidad said even as he has retired, his door will always be open to the PBL.

“Whenever I’m needed, I’m just a phone call away,” said Trinidad. “One of the things I recently worked on is for the PBL to go international. In Los Angeles, I got in touch with Gene Quicho who runs the 3G Basketball League in Baldwin Park. Gene’s network covers over 100 teams all over the US. The plan is to bring in an L. A. team as an honorary PBL member and send a PBL team to play in Gene’s league. This international connection is something the new commissioner may want to explore.”

Trinidad said during his PBL watch, he owed whatever was achieved to those who worked hand-in-hand with him – Beth Halili, Jun Espiritu, Agri Lomugdang, Butch Maniego, Tommy Ong, Joey Lim, Belle Marasigan, Joey Guanio, Levi Valenzuela and Jigs Mendoza.

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