NOT one of the five teams–Magnolia, Ginebra, Coca-Cola, Red Bull and Welcoat–that chose lawyer Chito Salud over telecommunications executive Lambert Ramos during the voting for the pro league’s next commissioner last Monday will jump ship and will instead try to convince another team to join their ranks.

This was stressed yesterday by a very knowledgeable and reliable source privy to the deliberation and voting process held at the pro league office in Libis, adding "there is no conflict of interest" as far as Salud is concerned.

The source, who requested anonymity, said that while all the candidates for the position vacated by Noli Eala last August "are all very qualified," they want a new commissioner "who will come in without any perceived attachment" to any of the teams in the league.

Aside from Salud and Ramos, the other candidate for the post was BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas secretary-general Patrick Gregorio who received one vote during the first round of voting and was subsequently dropped from consideration. Salud got five votes in the first round and Ramos had three. The team–Talk N Text–that voted for Gregorio in the first round shifted its vote to Ramos in the second and third rounds.

The Malaya source said Gre-gorio was not considered by the group of five because he has a brother–Ryan–who is calling the shots for Purefoods. Ramos, on the other hand, has served in various capacities for several teams, one of them Alaska, and also has a son holding a high position with Air21.

With nobody managing to get the required three-fourths vote, the PBA Board decided to adjourn after nearly three hours of deliberation. The issue is expected to be decided by Jan. 10 next year.

Before the Board meets anew, however, the Malaya source said the group of five will try to convince one of the four teams–Air 21, Sta. Lucia, Alaska and Talk N Text–to join their group and resolve the impasse.

Meanwhile, Eala yesterday described the process undertaken by the PBA Board last Monday as "flawed," adding the criteria set by the league in its search for a new commissioner was thrown out of the window.

"From the criteria laid down by the Board, it was very clear the selection process will be based on a ‘points system,’ with a candidate’s marketing skills worth 40 points and finance 20 points," said Eala, adding he learned that Gregorio impressed the board with his marketing presentation and was immediately offered the job as the league’s chief marketing officer.

"Yet only one team considered him for the job of commissioner," added Eala, named by the league as its sixth commissioner in 2003 over several other aspirants, with his marketing skills considered as one of his strong suits. He resigned last August.

"There is an inherent defect, a weakness, in that kind of system they are using to choose the next commissioner. They want somebody with unblemished integrity, with no conflict of interest, yet there is no stopping the candidates from seeking the votes of the teams. There is a need for consensus-building," he added.

Eala added the league should consider "a talent within the organization" for the coveted post, somebody who has been there long enough, somebody who is not indebted to any team. (Jimmy A. Cantor)