A Wheeler's Opinion: The Narvasa Removal: Will it Happen?

Here's why it can happen and why it will not happen

Due to his approval of the Kia-SMB trade, Chito Narvasa's days in office are numbered? (Photo by the PBA Media Bureau)

The weather here in Quezon City is gloomy and so is the future of Chito Narvasa as PBA Commissioner. Why?

Here's why:

Rumor has it that the majority bloc in the PBA Board, led by the teams under the MVP Group, is currently on the move to out the good PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa. 

Why? 

Let's face it, folks, when Mr. Narasvasa approved arguably one of the most questionable and equally one of the most lopsided trades in the history of the PBA, the one involving the Kia Picanto sending the rights to pick Christian Standhardinger on draft night to the San Miguel Beermen in exchange for bench players, future picks and cash. 

Question: Was it lopsided? Definitely. Questionable? Indeed. 

So why did Mr. Narvasa approve deal despite concerns from the PBA teams? Simple: there was nothing wrong with the trade if you were San Miguel. There was nothing really wrong especially after both teams submitted a 3rd revised version of the deal which sealed Narvasa's approval.

Now, that decision by Mr. Narvasa not only changed the balance in the league as San Miguel gets to have Standhardinger team-up with 4-time MVP June Mar Fajardo but also angered the majority of the team owners who now, want him out of office.  

And if you remember just a few days ago, Talk N Text blasted Narvasa for divulging the information to the media, stating that it was actually Magnum Membrere, a team official of TNT, who filed Standhardinger's draft application on the latter's behalf. TNT, in a statement, called the move made by the good commissioner, biased. Given that TNT is under the MVP Group, it came as no surprise that it's now leading the move to remove Narvasa.

Question: Will it Happen?

Yes. Provided...

Here's the catch, folks. Removing Chito Narvasa as PBA commissioner can be done as long as you have the support of the majority of the team owners. Now, there are 12 teams in the league. Get 7 from those teams and Chito Narvasa's stint will be done in no time.

Now, according to league insiders, the MVP Group has already found supporters in Alaska's Wilfred Uytengsu and Blackwater's Dioceldo Sy. 

Additionally, sources are now saying that both Rain or Shine and Phoenix are backing the move so that's 7 against 5. They are said to agree to call a board meeting tomorrow to finally decide whether or not Chito  Narvasa will go on as commissioner. 

Nope 

Why? Simple. According to league insiders, Chito Narvasa still has the support of the three teams playing under the San Miguel Corp block as well as SMC ally, GlobalPort, and Kia, of course. These teams firmly believe that 5 votes are enough to keep Narvasa in office thanks to the gray area in the league's by-laws.

Conclusion

Even though the move to oust PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa falters should it happen tomorrow, this pundit on wheels firmly believes that Mr. Narvasa won't last long in office because he has lost the trust and confidence of the majority of the team owners. Now, it all depends on the outcome of tomorrow's board meeting but one thing is certain if we are to believe a league insider: Chito Narvasa won't have a full 1-year extension.