Converge urges PBA board to revisit policy on approving new governors after Delta Pineda's denial

Governor Delta Pineda's entry to the PBA board hit a snag. PSL (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MUNTINLUPA—Converge confirmed on Friday that the PBA board of governors has denied the entry of Pampanga governor Delta Pineda to the said group as the FiberXers' representative.

Team owner Dennis Anthony Uy said in a statement that he has reservations about what to react after the PBA board decided not to bring in Pineda, arguably one of the godfathers of the North Luzon basketball scene.

"We received with deep regret the decision of the PBA board of governors not to accept the appointment of Pampanga Gov. Delta Pineda as the representative of the Converge FiberXers to the board," Uy said.

The PBA explained that the denial of Pineda's entry was due to the board's stand to stay apolitical, but Uy assured that politics would not get in the way once Pineda joins the board.

"The appointment of a public servant in the PBA board of governors would not necessarily make it political. Converge urges that this policy be revisited or, at the very least, more liberally interpreted so as not to negate the owner's prerogative and for the betterment of the PBA and Philippine basketball," Uy further stated.

The statement further said, "Just as other PBA leaders past and present worked tirelessly for the PBA's success, Governor Pineda will undoubtedly do the same for the league, if not more. We believe that new ideas, fresh perspectives, and better and stronger competition which Gov. Pineda would definitely bring to the PBA could only attract a wider, bigger fan base for our players and the league."

Uy believes that "a Delta Pineda sitting in the PBA can only make PBA stronger and its fans better served."

Essentially, Pineda has nothing to lose as he can go back to being the FiberXers' team manager even as he also coaches the Pampanga Giant Lanterns in the MPBL fresh from leading them to the PSL Dumper Cup title earlier this year.

Pineda is said to be considering reviving the Pampanga Delta's senior team in time for the PSL D2 Super Cup this June in various towns within the second district of Quezon Province.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno