EALA TO BE NAMED SMC SPORTS DIRECTOR
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 Sep 2011
Former Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Noli Eala is to be named Sports Director of the giant San Miguel Corporation conglomorate.
The Daily Inquirer learned that an official announcement about the new designation of Eala who serves as a special assistant to San Miguel Corporation president and CEO Ramon Ang would most likely be made upon Ang?s return from China.
The San Miguel Corporation president is accompanying President Benigno ?Noynoy? Aquino III on his four-day state visit to China.
When contacted by the Inquirer, Eala politely declined to comment on the report in any manner whatsoever but stated without elaboration in a text message, ?I work principally to serve the interests of my boss.?
The Inquirer was told that Robert Non will continue as head of SMC Basketball Operations and will also retain his position as Barangay Ginebra representative to the PBA Board of Governors which jut concluded its annual board meeting in Hong Kong.
Both Eala and Non were present when the SMC president had a thank you lunch with the coaches and assistant coaches of the conglomerates three teams at the Diamond Hotel last week following the Petron Blaze Boosters stunning victory in the best-of-seven Governors Cup championship series in which they beat fancied Talk N? Text 4-3 which also discussed the possibilities in the PBA Annual Draft.
Eala, a former lead anchor of the Viva Vintage TV coverage of the PBA games was chosen as the sixth Commissioner of the pro league after his predecessor Emilio ?Jun? Bernardino retired.
Eala held the post from 2003 to August 2007 when he resigned.
His term was marked by both promise and problems highlighted by the Fil-shams controversy which he inherited from his predecessor. One of his early initiatives as Commissioner was to pursue a dynamic marketing and promotions campaign and to institute a new format while also launching initiatives covering the formation of the national team.
Eala was commended for the 2003 reunion game between the famed Crispa Redmanizers and Toyota Tamaraws as part of the All Star activities featuring the former superstars of the leagues so-called glory days. He also staged the TM Legends Game which saw two teams made up of players from the roster of the PBA?s 25 greatest players face each other.
Following his stint as PBA Commissioner, Eala was named executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. He was one of those who played a key role in helping SBP president, businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan secure FIBA recognition of the SBP as the sole governing body for basketball in the Philippines, replacing the Basketball Association of the Philippines.
He later moved to San Miguel Corporation as a special assistant to Mr. Ramon Ang.
Eala also established the nationwide Liga Pilipinas with teams based in various cities from different regions of the country competing in a nationwide tournament.
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