PBL surprised over Chino 'resignation'

Source: (The Philippine Star)

MANILA, Philippines - Majority of officials and representatives of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) yesterday expressed disbelief over the reported resignation of commissioner Chino Trinidad.

“I don’t think Chino will do it, he might just be tired,” said Toyota Otis board representative Gil Angeles. “Unless I see him and he says it in front of me that he’s resigning then that’s the time I will believe.”

“Besides, the board has yet to receive a letter informing us about his supposed resignation. For now, we just have to wait for him to arrive before we can act on this matter,” said Angeles, noting Trinidad might be tired emotionally since he’s been away from his family for almost a month now.

Trinidad, who has been at the helm of the league since 2000, is in Los Angeles covering the training of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao for his fight against Joshua Clottey at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas on Saturday (Sunday Manila time).

Even PBL chairman emeritus Raymund Yu of Welcoat Paints and last year’s chairman Mikee Romero of Harbour Centre franchise were also caught by surprise by Trinidad’s reported resignation.

Romero and Yu said they will try to talk to Trinidad when he returns from his coverage.

“If it is true then the league will lose a great leader. But no matter what happens next, the league must go on, the show must go on,” said Yu.

Romero, who owns a record seven straight championships but whose franchise took a leave of absence this conference, echoed Yu’s sentiments.

“I was surprised to read it in the papers. I know his passion for sports, especially for basketball. But I will still try to talk to him,” said Romero. “He spent 10 good years of his life in the PBL, so maybe we can still do about it.”

PBL executive director Butch Maniego, however, already had an inkling that Trinidad is just biding his time before stepping down.

“He already broached the idea of resigning when the opening of this tournament was postponed for the third time,” said Maniego. “But I had always hoped he would reconsider.”

Excelroof team manager Oliver Gianan was also surprised, saying: “We joined the league through the prodding of Mr. Trinidad because we have the same vision for basketball.”

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