|
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Oyson: RP national team still hopeful
By Manuel N. Oyson, Jr.
Counter Punch
HOPE springs eternal for the RP national basketball team, whether it’s going somewhere or not Although the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) still has not lifted its ban on the country’s participation – and defense – of its title in Men’s basketball in the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in Manila late this year, the country’s basketball potentates are not giving up easily. BAP president Joey Lina, among others, expressed optimism that the Philippines may be allowed to defend the Men’s crown in the SEA Games.
Not only that. Even the problem of funding for a national basketball team, including training and billeting for its projected Seag campaign, does not present a problem anymore. Cebu businessman Michel J. Lhuillier has already assumed the responsibility to take care of the expenses for the team that may be selected and trained. This, regardless of whether or not the bulk of the Philippine team would come from his own ML-Kwarta Padala outfit.
TWO DIRECTORS. He has given the selection committee a free hand to decide who will constitute the team.
“We will select only the best players for the squad,” Lhuillier assured Lina and selected members of the sportswriting fraternity who were invited to his induction as vice-president for the Visayas of the BAP last Aug. 4 at the Chez Lucie French restaurant near Salinas Drive, Lahug. The occasion also served as the debut of Cebu City Councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba as BAP regional director for Region VII.
With Alcoseba’s assumption, Eastern Viayas has now two regional directors. The other is Elmer “Boy” Cabahug, who was elected regional director for Visayas “B” under the set-up of the Philippine Basketball Federation Inc. Negros Oriental is still under Alcoseba’s jurisdiction. But under the PBFI scheme, Negros Oriental is now part of Visayas “A” (formerly Western Visayas)
CONCERN. Wonder of wonders, even BAP secretary-general Graham Lim was not to be ignored. He was present. Baseball star Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera, whom Alcoseba replaced, came to congratulate the man who took his place.
Do you wonder why I continue to ask what makes Graham Lim tick? But then, as I said earlier, we are not sure if the Philippine national basketball team is even going to defend its crown in Manila because of the Fiba ban.
By now, Lina should have already written an urgent appeal to the Fiba in Switzerland to allow the Philippines to participate in Men’s basketball in the Seag.
Despite the ban, Fiba still recognizes the BAP as the duly-authorized amateur-basketball governing body in the country. It still has to give its mantle of recognition to the newly-formed PBFI, which was organized three weeks ago, reportedly to replace the BAP. It is the PBFI that now wants to be recognized by Fiba. Because it is now a member of the POC.
But time is of the essence. No less than Rep. Eduardo R. Gullas, former first vice-president of the BAP, expressed concern that the RP national squad to the Seag is not yet in place.
FRACTIOUS. He suggested that, even if in the end the Philippines may just be sitting it out during the Seag in Manila, the team should be formed at least three months in advance. He targets the end of August for the formation of the team.
Otherwise, our title defense will be in jeopardy, assuming that the Fiba will eventually relent. The Seag is set on Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.
Gullas turned down majority of stakeholders of the PBFI to make him president because of his job as a member of Congress and school administrator.
Mauricio “Moying” Martelino was instead elected. Gullas believes that Chot Reyes is a good national coach as has proven his stuff. He describes the current basketball controversy in the country as “fractious.” He explains that our continued insistence to play the game of basketball despite physical limitations is not for the purpose of winning but of competing in the true spirit of sportsmanship, as envisioned by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games in 1896.
MILESTONE. Many happy returns of the day, broadcaster par-excellence, Bobby Nalzaro.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “It is unfortunate that up to this time, BAP officials have made no sincere effort to work with us to promote the sagging image of basketball.” – PBFI president Moying Martelino
(mno@sunstar.com.ph)
(August 13, 2005 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
|
[return to top]
[home]
[network page]
|
LOCAL NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFESTYLE
FEATURE
SUPERBALITA
WEEKEND
|
