PBA commissioner Chito Narvasa said on Tuesday he's still in the process of evaluating a controversial KIA-San Miguel trade proposal that, if approved, would send the top pick in the rookie draft to the Beermen for a bunch of rarely used reserve players.
Narvasa said he is in communication with officials of the two teams as he decides on whether to approve, veto, or call for a revision of a trade that has come under heavy fire from media and fans alike.
"I'm talking to (KIA official) Bobby Rosales and (SMC sports director) Alfrancis Chua and we'll see how it goes," said Narvasa.
The league chieftain said there are a lot of things to take into consideration before making a final decision on the deal that could bring Fil-German prospect Christian Standhardinger to an already loaded SMB team alongside four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo.
In return, the Picanto, in the trade's current form, are supposed to get bench-warmers like Keith Agovida, Rashawn McCarthy, JayR Reyes, or other rarely used veterans.
Narvasa specifically pointed to the ballclubs' right to chart their own path balanced with the need to maintain parity in the league.
"People say it’s about parity of the league," the second-year commissioner said. "But people have the same right as anybody else in the team to decide their fate."
"They should be responsible for whatever comes from it. We have to consider also their position and the effect it has on the league,” he added.
Narvasa assured that whatever move he makes will only be for the good of the 42-year-old league.
"At the end of the day, it has to be about what’s good for the PBA, families themselves, and the teams themselves," he said.
The former Shell and Purefoods coach said a verdict will be made before the rookie draft on Sunday at the Robinsons Place Ermita since a trade will weigh heavily on the selections of the teams involved.
"I think (we'll come up with the decision) before the draft," he said.