The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) now has a new boss.
Willie Marcial, the former PBA Media Bureau chief, was promoted from officer-in-charge to league commissioner on Thursday.
The news was announced by PBA chairman Rickie Vargas during the Board of Governors' meeting at the PBA office in Quezon City.
The board decided Marcial will serve as league commissioner for three years.
Marcial is the tenth PBA commissioner, following Leo Prieto, Mariano Yenko, Rudy Salud, Rey Marquez, Jun Bernardino, Noli Eala, Sonny Barrios, Chito Salud and Chito Narvasa.
Vargas said it was "an appointment of without any objection."
"At this time, it's important to give it to somebody who grew up in the PBA, who understands the PBA, the by-laws; who has been mentored by many PBA commissioners in the past. He's one who has learned over the years in the PBA," Vargas added.
Marcial began as a statistician during the time of Prieto then took on a floor director role with TV broadcaster Vintage Enterprises during the tenures of Salud to Bernardino before he became part of the PBA management during Eala's time.