Ex-PBA commissioner Noli Eala didn’t pull punches after ugly San Miguel loss in EASL

Not a few were displeased with San Miguel Beermen capping off their EASL Champions Week campaign with an embarrassing 142-87 loss to Anyang KGC on Saturday.

Among them was former PBA commissioner Noli Eala.

In his tweet on Saturday, the host of Power & Play may be alluding to the lopsided loss of the proud PBA franchise against Rhenz Abando’s Korean team. SMB missed the services of injured main man June Mar Fajardo, who hurt his left knee seconds into their opener against Ryukyu Golden Kings.

“Have some pride not excuses,” he said.

55 point loss? Have some pride not excuses.

— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) March 4, 2023

A few days ago, the Beermen also bowed to Carl Tamayo’s Golden Kings, 96-68. Coach Jorge Gallent saw what casual fans also observed: they played selfish basketball.

TNT Tropang Giga, the country’s other representative to the regional league, suffered the same fate as they will go home with a pair of losses in the tourney.

On the heels of the Beermen’s opening loss, Thirdy Ravena also posted on Twitter what appeared to be a message to naysayers of Filipinos playing abroad like himself.

“And they thought playing here was easy,” he said.

big bro aint talking down on nobody. my dads in one of those teams why would i? im not even throwing shade at the pba. that tweet is for all the filipino basketball fans who discredit and hate on some of us for being out here, esp me and my bro

— Thirdy (@ThirdyRavenaaa) March 2, 2023

Eala earlier suggested reverting back to a two-conference format which he implemented back in the 2005-2006 season.

According to him, “it worked for all.”

In 2004, the PBA already played a 2-conf format. And it worked for all- National Team, players and league. Don’t believe otherwise. I was there. I know how much revenues we made. With all that’s happening in basketball now, it still is the most ideal setup.

— Noli Eala (@NoliEala) March 2, 2023