Tuesday, February 06, 2007 Fiba official seals merger, as hoops bodies call new group ‘BAP-SBP’ By Frank C. Calapre Sun.Star Correspondent
MANILA - The long wait is over. The Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and Pilipinas Basketball yesterday formed the country's new basketball federation in a National Unity Congress at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City.
No less than Fiba secretary-general Patrick Baumann came and sealed the merger before top officials of both the BAP and PB, as well as basketball aficionados.
Baumann said that with the unification, the suspension of the Philippines from participating in international tournaments will be lifted as soon as the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) recognizes the group.
"It is just a matter of formality but it first has to have recognition by the POC before you can again play in international tournaments sanctioned by the Fiba," said Baumann in a press conference after the congress. Baumann flew from Bangkok, Thailand where he attended the Fiba-Asia meeting.
New name
The congress, facilitated by communication mogul Manny V. Pangilinan, also agreed to call the new group the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Sports patron Michel Lhuillier, University of the Visayas (UV) coach Elmer Cabahug, and Cebu City Councilor Raul Alcoseba were among those chosen by the Unity Congress to join the 25-man board of trustees of the BAP-SBP.
Former senators and basketball stars Robert Jaworski and Freddie Webb, as well as Reps. Eduardo Gullas of Cebu and Monico Puentevella of Bacolod also joined the congress.
Message
Puentevella, the first vice-president of the POC, said was sent by POC president Jose Cojuangco to the gathering to relay the message that they will convene a board meeting within two days and later hold a special general assembly to confirm the recognition.
BAP president Go Teng-Kok and secretary general Graham Lim yesterday expressed elation that the problem is finally over. Go said he declined the chairmanship of the new group and membership of the 25-man board of trustees because all he wants is to help in the lifting of the Fiba suspension.
Baumann suspended the Philippines from participating in any international tournament in July 2005, as a result of the expulsion of the BAP from the POC on June 30, 2005.
"Today, we can rejoice, Fiba-Asia can rejoice because the unity in the Philippines is very gratifying. We have now a new federation here and the newly elected officers are in place. This is a big step. That is what basketball is all about—it's one team, it’s unity, it’s working together. If we don't work together we’re going to lose," added Baumann.
No problem
International Olympic Committee permanent representative Frank Elizalde also said the POC recognition is not a problem and could be done as soon as possible so that the Fiba suspension can be lifted at once.
"We are here to observe the Unity Congress with the hope that it will pave way very soon for the lifting of the Fiba suspension," said Elizalde.
BAP-SBP president Pangilinan, also the chairman and president of PLDT and Smart Communications, said that foremost in his agenda is the participation of the Philippines in the forthcoming Southeast Asian Basketball Association qualifying tourney in May in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia as well as the Fiba-Asia championship in Saitama, Japan in July.
Pangilinan was chairman of the three-man panel tasked to implement the unity accord signed in Tokyo, Japan on Aug. 28 last year.
