Thursday, June 12, 2008 Hoops elections mania By Marian C. Baring Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE country’s governing body for basketball will once more be stirred as the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) will be conducting a national congress and elections today at the Dusit Hotel in Makati, something that is expected to stir a hornet’s nest.
The election has been tainted with controversy after another faction, the BAP, claiming to be doing the legitimate thing also held its elections last week.
The SBP faction claims that it was invalid because according to a source, who asked not to be named, no POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) representative was present and the election was not recognized by POC and Fiba, the international governing body for basketball.
BAP, who elected former congressman Butch Pichay as the president and its own 25-man board, however contends that they did it in accordance to the Bangkok Agreement—which was inked in the efforts of unifying the factions.
Meanwhile, Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (Cesafi) will question the validity of both elections as its representative, lawyer Baldomero Estenzo, will raise this matter up before the elections today.
Estenzo will be representing the stand of the Cesafi board, which asked him to clarify this matter. With him is Cebu City Councilor Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba, who will be there in his capacity as the regional head.
“In behalf of the Cesafi, we want to know why Villafuerte will not be recognized and if that election by BAP is valid and if the Bangkok Agreement really holds ground,” said Estenzo, who is also the basketball consultant of the University of Cebu.
Apparently, documents about the Bangkok Agreement were furnished to Estenzo and the Cesafi and Estenzo will mainly ask about why the agreement that has been made had not been followed.
“Why can we not unite when BAP-SBP is supposed to be a unification by Fiba? Why do we now have two BAP-SBPs?” Estenzo said.
Today, 19 members of the BAP-SBP will be voting for a new set of officials with incumbent president, communications mogul Manny Pangilinan still tipped to get a fresh term.
Former PBA commissioner Noli Eala is also one of the favorites that will be elected as the Executive Director to replace Patrick Gregorio.
Gregorio said that he is not seeking for a fresh term as he will be joining the corporate world starting next week.
“I am happy to have made my contribution to Philippine basketball and it’s time to move on,” said Gregorio, who will be heading the Sports and Marketing projects of Smart Communications.
Other nominees for the top spots are Ricky Vargas, Tony Chua and PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios from the professional sector while Harbour Centre owner Mikee Romero will represent the Philippine Basketball League.
The rest of the nominees include Junjun Capistrano (UAAP), Ding Lozano (NCAA), Jay Adalem (NAASCU), Rey Gamboa (Philippine Collegiate Champions League), Gov. Oscar Moreno and Tac Padilla (PBL), Eala and Fr. Paul de Vera (NCAA South), Robert Uy and Snook Divinagracia (IBL) and Nic Jorge (Youth).
