A bevy of personages from the local boxing community are rallying behind the candidacy of sports broadcaster Chino Trinidad for the chairmanship of the Games and Amusements Board.
Trinidad, a part of the pioneering group that created the present-day Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas, also drew the support of boxing personalities for his deep involvement in the fight game.
“Chino Trinidad has been involved in sports and covering sports for decades so he is very familiar and knowledgeable in everything. He knows the athletes, coaches, managers, etc.,” JC Mananquil, who operates the General Santos City-based Sanman Promotions, said.
“Number 1 is I think his love for sports is from the heart and I can also see his passion so I think he will be a good chairman,” added Mananquil, who manages several world title prospects based locally and overseas.
Roger Fernandez, the brother of longtime Manny Pacquiao trainer, also gives the thumbs-up sign to Trinidad, who once ran the Philippine Basketball League.
“He knows basketball and boxing,” Fernandez, a member of Pacquiao’s training team, said.
Two-time world title challenger Edito “Ala” Villamor also vouches for Trinidad.
“Used on his experience as (PBL) commissioner, it will help him manage the GAB and yes, he can be a great GAB chairman because he is open-minded and honest,” added Villamor, who now operates Villamor Boxing Stable in Mandaue, Cebu.
Former world flyweight champion Malcolm Tunacao, now living in Kobe, Japan, feels Trinidad, son of veteran sportswriter Recah, has what it takes to handle the GAB.
“It would be better if he becomes chairman because he has the experience,” he said.
Rio Olympics veteran Charly Suarez, who now fights as a pro, feels Trinidad fits the job description.
“He is very qualified,” Suarez, unbeaten in 14 fights with eight knockouts, said.
The list of backers is getting longer and longer.
Rex Wakee Salud, acknowledged as the winningest Filipino boxing manager of all time, is also a top backer.
“Chino knows Philippine boxing because he’s been covering it for a long time and he is a true sportsman,” Salud said.
