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MANILA — Former Senator Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, known as Philippine basketball’s “Living Legend,” looms as top bet for the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman post.
“President Benigno S. Aquino III wants someone who can forge a harmonious relationship with the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and the athletes. And he thinks Jaworski is the man,” said a member of PNoy’s search committee.
“What more can you ask for? Jaworski at the PSC and Cojuangco at the POC being in-laws,” said the source who prefers anonymity at the moment. “Of course, there will be differences in opinion. But this relationship between the two gentlemen could go a long way,” he added.
Last week, former Manila congressman and PSC chairman Harry Angping submitted his courtesy resignation to Presidentelect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. Angping urged PNoy to appoint immediately his successor because only four months are left before the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China.
He said that the November date of the quadrennial Asiad makes the appointment of the new chairman of the PSC very urgent. “There is little time left before the Asian Games. So in my resignation, I included an appeal for President-elect Noynoy Aquino to appoint immediately the new head of the PSC,” Angping said.
Billiards Managers and Players Association of the Philippines (BMPAP) founding head Ceferino “Perry” Mariano, is backing Jaworski for the coveted PSC chairmanship. Other BMPAP officials who agree with Mariano’s choice are: STAR editor-in-chief and BMPAP chairman Isaac Belmonte, lawyer Edwin Rordiguez (BMPAP president), Aristeo “Putch” Puyat (BMPAP co-founder), Jonathan Sy (BMPAP cofounder) and hall of famer billiards great Efren “Bata” Reyes (BMPAP director and player’s council head).
Belmonte is the son of Quezon City representative- elect Feliciano “Sonny” Belmonte who is an ally of President-elect Aquino.
“I believe Jaworski will be of great help to athletes and Philippine sports as well. Having been a winning coach and mindful of athletes’ problems, he will be very good for the present landscape. Sonny is just what we need,” said Mariano.