Wednesday, July 16, 2008 Pichay wants grassroots program for Liga
FOLLOWING the Asian Universities Basketball Championships (AUBC), Basketball Association of the Philippines’ (BAP-SBP) head, Prospero Pichay, has more tricks up his sleeves that he believes might help the current state of Philippine basketball.
Pichay met with basketball mentor Joe Lipa and AUBC commissioner Felix Tiukinhoy, to talk about Lipa’s proposals for a massive basketball grassroots program.
“He (Pichay) was impressed at the program that was created by Joe (Lipa) because it holds definite potential of being effective,” said Tiukinhoy, who clarified that he was at the meeting as a mere third party and not as an affiliate to any organization.
Willing
Lipa now needs to come up with the specifications and budget that he will present to Pichay in another meeting. “Pichay was very willing to bankroll for the program,” Tiukinhoy said.
During the AUBC finals, Pichay was also upbeat about this new endeavor. “We are looking into this project and we can’t wait to get started,” he said.
In a raw draft, the program starts with the training of all coaches and referees, who coach and officiate in barangay-based tournaments.
Afterwhich, each barangay will choose a set of players that will be trained. A competition in the barangay, municipal and provincial levels will then take place.
List
Lipa holds a long list of credential in basketball. He is currently the commissioner of the National Collegiate Athletic Association after his stint as commissioner of the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines.
He had also worked behind the University of the Philippines Maroons as head coach and he used to be the coach of the national basketball team.
Meanwhile, following the example set by the Pichay wing, the BAP-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas faction of Manny Pangilinan will push through with their Board of trustees meeting here in Cebu, which is a far cry from their usual meetings in Manila. (MCB)
