"My hopes still high" - Noli Eala

Matapos ang ilang taong paglilingkod sa mundo ng basketbol, tuluyan nang namaalam si Noli Eala bilang commissioner ng Philippines Basketball Association upang pagtuunan ang kanyang personal ng buhay.

Kasabay ng kanyang pagbibitiw bilang pinuno ng prestihiyosong liga ng bansa na tunay na naging bahagi na ng kanyang buhay, nagpasalamat ang 44-anyos na si Eala sa lahat ng taong naniniwala sa kanyang kakayahan at abilidad sa loob at labas ng industriya ng basketbol.

"I believe in the biblical edict, let he who is without sin cast the first stone, rather than pick-up the stones cast at me and throw them back, I have decided to walk away keeping my dignity intact and my hopes still high", pahayag ni Eala.

Malaki ang naiambag ni Eala sa palakasan kung saan naging bahagi ng pagbuo ng bagong asosasyon ng Pilipinas - ang Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas na nangangalaga sa kasalukuyan sa kapakanan ng basketbol sa bansa.

Hindi iniwanan ni Eala sa hirap at ginhawa ang pakikibaka ng pambansang koponan sa nakalipas na '07 FIBA-Asia Men's Championships sa Tokushima, Japan kung saan nagtapos ang Pilipinas bilang 9th place mula sa inaasahang pagsikwat ng silya sa 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Gayunpaman, umuwing taas-noo ang National Basketball Team bitbit ang mapapait na karanasan ngunit may magandang naidulot sa kanilang pagkatao bilang basketbolista.

Sa inilabas na statement kamakalawa, inihayag ni Eala na patuloy ang gagawing pakikibaka upang masolusyunan ang gusot sa personal na buhay na itinuturing na malaking pagsubok at sa kanyang pamilya.

"I stand by my decisions in the past comforted by the fact that I have taken care of my family and children, and made peace with those I have aggrieved. I leave the PBA cognizant and gratified that I have turned things around with the help of the PBA Board, my hardworking staff and the greatest players any commissioner can ever have. Today, the PBA has scaled new heights and reached new goals, financially stable, organizationally sound and still the biggest sports entertainment property of the Philippines."
" I thank all of the people who have supported me in my tenure as Commissioner. Most especially, my thanks to the many players and fans who have kept the faith in me. I take refuge finally in the knowledge that my family, true friends and especially my children have stood by me despite all that has been and will be. I now appeal to all to allow me and my loved ones to deal with this very personal ordeal privately and in our own time," dagdag pa ni Eala. (EN, Bulgar)

And in another forum, they have a link showing Noli Eala's rumored 'girl' : http://forum.philboxing.com/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=77165&start=15&st=0&sk=t&sd=a