Noli Eala out of SMC basketball group; Alfrancis Chua granted leave of absence from Ginebra

Noli Eala out of SMC basketball group; Alfrancis Chua granted leave of absence from Ginebra

Sports5 file/Paolo Papa

San Miguel Corporation announced that Noli Eala, the former PBA commissioner who served as its consultant for basketball operations, has been granted a new assignment within the conglomerate.

“The Company believes that Eala’s managerial expertise and experience with various companies he handled in recent years will be very valuable in his new assignment in infrastructure, one of the high-growth areas for the company,” SMC said in a statement today.

“SMC assures the public, particularly its basketball fans that the operations of its basketball teams will continue to run smoothly despite Eala’s new role in the organization.”

SMC bankrolls Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, Petron Blaze, and San Mig Coffee in the PBA and San Miguel Beer in the ASEAN Basketball League.

The move comes a couple of days after Eala took to Twitter to address criticism from fans.

“Certainly don’t appreciate all the hate I’m receiving, mostly unfair. Frankly, many haters are barking up the wrong tree. Still, life goes on,” said Eala.

Eala has been the target of brickbats from fans of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Petron Blaze who have been unhappy over recent developments within the teams.

Former San Miguel Beer star Olsen Racela was removed as coach of Petron. He was assigned to be an assistant coach at San Mig Coffee.

On Monday, Ginebra coach Alfrancis Chua reportedly announced his resignation from the team as rumors swirled that he had issues with Eala’s management. Neither party has made an official comment on the matter.

SMC management also announced that it has granted Chua a leave of absence from the Governors’ Cup “due to personal reasons.”