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Willie Marcial appointed as PBA commissioner

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2018/tvpatrol/01/14/marcial.jpg"/></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) After serving as the officer-in-charge of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for over a month, Willie Marcial has been appointed as the league&#x27;s commissioner.PBA chairman Ricky Vargas made the announcement on Thursday afternoon at the league office in Libis, following the first monthly meeting of the PBA Board in 2018.Marcial was given a three-year term, and will still remain as the league&#x27;s media director. He formally replaced the embattled Chito Narvasa, who resigned from his post on December 17, just ahead of the opening of the new PBA season.&quot;We are happy for Willie, and we wish him well,&quot; said Vargas, who added that there were no objections to Marcial&#x27;s appointment.Marcial was named the PBA&#x27;s OIC upon Narvasa&#x27;s resignation last month, and he made an immediate impact on the league.He instituted the &quot;PBA Homecourt&quot; program, which sees players make surprise visits to local basketball courts once a week. More significantly, he is also credited with changing the way PBA games are officiated, leading to a more physical, entertaining brand of basketball.Vargas said that Marcial&#x27;s appointment was an easy decision to make for the PBA Board.&quot;As you know, the PBA Board has gone through a very difficult time before the opening of the season, and we were looking for somebody who can put it together and help us heal,&quot; said Vargas. &quot;There will be a lot of changes as we move along.&quot;&quot;One of the changes that would happen in the PBA is in the PBA by-laws. It is important that we have somebody there who understands, who grew up in the PBA, who understands the PBA, who understands the by-laws,&quot; added the chairman.Given that Marcial has worked under several former commissioners and has a &quot;deep understanding&quot; of the situation, he is well-suited for the job, explained Vargas.&quot;He has learned so much what the job entails,&quot; Vargas said of Marcial. &quot;He will bring with him that experience, he will bring with him that demeanor.&quot;The PBA Board briefly contemplated hiring a &quot;fresh candidate,&quot; Vargas admitted. However, they opted to go with someone who knows the ins and outs of the league and has trained for the job for years.&quot;Panahon ni Willie ito,&quot; said Vargas.&quot;We are going through change,&quot; he pointed out. &quot;So we felt that it is very appropriate – siguro bigay ng Diyos – it is very appropriate that we have somebody like Willie who will see us through this process.&quot;&quot;Willie… accepted the challenge, and he looks forward with humility to his contributions in his stint as our commissioner.&quot; For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

(UPDATED) After serving as the officer-in-charge of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for over a month, Willie Marcial has been appointed as the league's commissioner.

(UPDATED) After serving as the officer-in-charge of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) for over a month, Willie Marcial has been appointed as the league's commissioner.

Willie Marcial appointed as PBA commissioner

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Willie Marcial appointed as PBA commissioner

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published January 25, 2018 02:05 PM PHT

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Updated January 25, 2018 03:46 PM PHT

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