Butch Maniego

Chino Trinidad is not leaving the Philippine Basketball League in the wrong hands.

In fact, if he would have his way, Trinidad would rather have broadcaster and journalist Butch Maniego, presently PBL’s executive director, as his successor.

Maniego handles the league’s day-to-day affair, including now when the PBL PG Flex-Placenta Erase Cup is at its peak, and with Trinidad in the US as a member of the broadcast panel covering the Manny Pacquiao-Joshua Clottey fight set March 14 in Arlington, Texas.

Trinidad floated the possibility of having Maniego as his successor, saying he has what it takes to guide the league, while the PBL board of governors selects a new commissioner —depending on the outcome of the planned merger between the PBL and Liga Pilipinas.

Liga Pilipinas president and commissioner Noli Eala earlier branded the PBL-Liga merger talks as “almost a done deal.”

Maniego is supposed to step down together with Trinidad, but the 41-year-old commissioner said he will ask the eight-man PBL board to retain Maniego despite some nagging issues on his health.

Maniego was diagnosed with a kidney ailment a few years back, but he performs his job to the fullest in spite of it. He joined the league in January 2003, three years after Trinidad assumed the position from Yeng Guiao.

“He could be (the next commissioner) because he is already experienced in handling the affairs of the PBL,” Trinidad said. “But at the end of the day, the decision is still with the PBL board. I will ask the PBL board to keep Butch for his inputs. There should always be transitory people and Butch is one of them.”

“The only thing that would keep Butch from taking the job is his health. Hindi pwede mahina ang katawan kapag PBL commissioner ka. It’s taxing and you have to be sharp at all times.”

Only Maniego and PBL deputy commissioner Tommy Ong knew about Trinidad’s plan to step down. Trinidad said he will formally inform the PBL board, led by Ding Camua of Pharex, next week, right after his coverage of the Pacquiao-Clottey fight.

A prominent PBL executive, however, claimed Trinidad had written Pharex team owner Jappy Pascual about his plan to resign shortly before leaving for the States. But the content of the letter was never divulged before other members of the board.

“Truth is he wrote Jappy before leaving,” the source said. “But I’m not sure what was in it.”

Maniego welcomed Trinidad’s offer, but pointed out that the job will only be on an interim basis while the PBL board screens the possible candidates. So far, no names have cropped up since PBL executives are still waiting for the outcome of the talks with Liga Pilipinas.

The PBL board will be holding a meeting next week and Trinidad’s resignation is not part of the agenda.

“I thank him for his trust and confidence. But I will just do it on an interim basis while we look for a new leader for the next decade of the PBL,” Maniego yesterday said in a text message to Tribune.

“I seriously doubt if we will tackle his resignation in the next board meeting. We have more pressing issues to discuss.”

Source: Julius Manicad, The Daily Tribune

possible merger ng PBL with Liga Filipinas?Eh walang substance ang Liga Filipinas eh.Kala ko nga parang MBA style ang Liga Filipinas na maraming teams ang naglalaban with full representation of each province(since wala kaming BTV),pero nung nakita ko,nabaduyan ako...mas maganda pang manood ng NCAA at UAAP.