MANILA, 13 February 2004 — Chino Trinidad has unexpectedly quit his post as commissioner of the Philippine Basketball League (PBL), a league he saved from flatlining four years ago.
Under the administration of the 20-year-old Trinidad, the youngest to be named PBL commissioner, the league reached new heights especially in drawing the crowds back, gaining more TV exposure and elevating the standard of play in the organization.
“I will no longer be back in the PBL this coming season,” he said.
Slighted by what he called a “blatant show of disrespect” by some quarters in the league, Trinidad stepped down in a move that shocked players and teams alike. His irrevocable resignation was perceived by many in the basketball circle as a strong statement against Welcoat team’s infringement of the commissioner’s office’s function as league manager.
“I have exceeded the three years I set myself for this position,” said Trinidad, who admitted his frustration and displeasure over recent turn of events in the league, known for providing the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) with fresh, premier talents.
Trinidad, who assumed his post in 2000 by succeeding Yeng Guiao, said he was”fed up” with certain parties which showed the lack of respect in his former office on a day Welcoat Paints protested the loss of its player Jercules Tangkay in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race to Peter June Simon of Fash Liquid Laundry Detergent.
He cited that it was a “thankless job” and that some members of the league do not know how to honor a “gentleman’s agreement.”
Trinidad said the “blatant show of disrespect” by the Paint Masters squad when Marc Cuan, Jay-R Reyes, Nelbert Omolon and Willie Wilson, among others taped an “MVP Tangkay” tag on their white jersey, during last week’s game even after Simon was already declared the winner, was the last straw.
“If that is not a show of utter disrespect, then I don’t know what is,” said Trinidad. “If that is not taunting, what is?”
Simon collected 750.27 markers while Tangkay, who led in the stats race two weeks ago with 447.56 slid to second with 717.83 after the conclusion of the media-peees poll last week.
“If you are in this position, you can only absorb so much pains. If the people you work for and work with don’t give you even a certain amount of respect or a good pat on the back when you’ve done good, then mawawalan ka na talaga ng gana,” Trinidad said.
Trinidad revealed Reyes, a former University of the Philipppines varsity member, reneged on his word when he joined the Paint Masters instead of the Blustar Detergents, a team peppered with Maroons, which holds the right to the 6’5” center.
Trinidad also described as an “insult to the league” a key player in the title series “who doesn’t want to play despite his credentials.” He was disappointed that James Yap, who recently signed an 11-million pesos contract for three-and-a-half years with the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs in the PBA, refused to play up to par in the championship series. Yap, who usually averages 15 points, showed up with only 10 markers in 40 minutes of action as his team absorbed an 80-84 loss to the Liquid Power in double overtime.
“I think I have served the league faithfully, but when some players refuse to play and that certain teams do not know how to keep their word, I don’t think there is any more reason for me to stay,” Trinidad said. “I have never asked for anything, not even fringe benefits from the board. All I asked for was, that after all that I have done, I be given the respect that I deserve.”
Trinidad accepted a public apology offered by Welcoat Paints players and management, but said his resignation still stands. “I appreciate the call of the board for me not to step down, and at the same time I am elated by the gesture of apology from the Welcoat players, which I accepted,” said Trinidad.
He said, however, that his decision to quit stands, adding that he has set his sights on other things and that he believes he has contributed enough to the league in the four years that he served as commissioner.
“I need time and space to think whether I will reconsider my decision or not,” said Trinidad. “If ever I will be back again, I want to be doubly effective in running the affairs of the league.”
Welcoat team manager Raymond Yu offered an apology for his players’ actions during Game 3 of the Platinum Cup championship that offended Trinidad and prompted him to resign.
Although saying he accepted Yu’s apology, Trinidad, however, said he could not make a decision yet on whether to reconsider a return to the league.
“I was elated that chairman Dioceldo Sy expressed his support for me and for the gesture of Welcoat before this game. But at this point, it’s safe to say that the wound that the incident created is still very deep,” said Trinidad.
Before Welcoat’s Rodel Celo led the traditional invocation, he asked forgiveness in behalf of the Welcoat team from Trinidad, who was sitting near the TV panel.
Visibly touched by Welcoat’s public apology, Trinidad smiled and then waved at the direction of the Welcoat bench to acknowledge their apology. Interestingly, PBL chairman Dioceldo Sy rejected Trinidad’s resignation and reiterated his full support to the PBL chief while issuing a warning to Welcoat for its unwarranted action during Game 3 of the title series.
