Welcome back, Noli

SPORTING CHANCE By Joaquin M. Henson
Philippine Star
Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Former PBA commissioner Noli Eala is back in the swing of things. After losing his job in the pro league on a case unrelated to his performance and competence a few months ago, Eala chose to take a step back from the limelight and reevaluate his future.

Eala sought the advice of his parents, spent time with his family and did a lot of soul-searching.

It didn’t take long for Eala to realize his calling lay in sports.

At the PSA Forum late yesterday morning, Eala announced his return to sports as project director of a major boxing card to be held at the Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 2. That afternoon, he presided in another press briefing to launch the Liga Pilipinas, a regional community-based league sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas.

Eala has formed a company called Third Force to coordinate the activities of the different sports events he’s involved in. The company is backed up by investors, sports lovers and businessmen who believe in Eala’s capabilities as an “event connoisseur.”

But that’s not all.

Eala is also working with his family to develop a resort property in Los Banos and will open a bakery called “Bread All Day” next month along Broadway Avenue in front of Mt. Carmel Church.

“I’m doing things I’ve neglected to do when I was with the PBA,” said Eala. “I’m now making up for lost time. For instance, our family property in Los Baños is long overdue for development and we’re turning it into a resort. But of course, there will always be a special place in my heart for sports.”

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In promoting the boxing card, Eala vowed to sprinkle some Las Vegas glitter on Manila.

“We’ll hold public workouts for the fighters in a Metro Manila mall so the fans can see how hard they train,” said Eala, adding that a huge center like Trinoma would be a perfect site. “We’ll do a boxing clinic for the public. Maybe, we’ll invite Freddie Roach to conduct it. Then, we’ll stage a Las Vegas-style weigh-in at the Gateway Mall the day before the fights.”

Eala said the show will begin at 10 a.m., Sunday, to catch the US prime-time