PBA vice-chairman Pato Gregorio praised the team owners of Rain or Shine for "allowing unity and understanding to prevail" in the controversy surrounding the draft lottery won by GlobalPort.
After presiding over the emergency board meeting called shortly before the Leo Awards on Saturday afternoon, Gregorio said the board has settled the matter internally and amicably after Rain or Shine accepted the apology of Commissioner Chito Salud for the "crude' matter in which the draft lottery was staged.
“I am so happy that our gentlemen team owners from Rain or Shine and their management decided to settle this inside the board room,” said Gregorio, who even spent a few minutes outside the Rain or Shine dugout to wait for team owners Raymund Yu and Terry Que before the Game Three of the Governors Cup Finals.
Gregorio and the two Rain or Shine owners had a short meeting inside the dugout at the early part of the first quarter.
Gregorio also insisted that the sentiment of Rain or Shine and their fans will not go unheard, as efforts to improve the lottery procedure will now be given priority by the league.
“Nakausap ko sila. At naramdaman ko rin ang hinaing nila. And I told them na 'yun rin ang reason why mag-iimplement ang liga ng mas maayos na sistema sa susunod,” Gregorio said.
Watch video of full interview with Gregorio:
Meanwhile, Meralco governor and league chairman Ramon Segismundo has also sought to clarify his position on the issue after saying that "we tend to make mountains out of molehills" during the controversy.
“I wish to clarify my position regarding the PBA draft pick lottery incident. I recognize the right of ROS to question the process and the manner it was conducted,” said Segismundo from Singapore.
“We learned from their valuable feedback and we will work on improvements immediately. I have the highest respect for ROS and its owners Raymund and Terry and my colleague gov Mert and value their contributions to the betterment of the league,” added the PBA chairman.
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