Philippines - FIBA ready to lift RP suspension

From news.balita.ph
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The International Basketball Federation (FIBA) promised on Monday to automatically lift the suspension it slapped on the Philippines 21 months ago once the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) accredits the newly-formed cage super Basketball Association of the Philippines-Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP).

"It's done. As as soon as your POC accredits your federation which, I hope, they will as you have shown in today, the next day your suspension will be automatically be lifted," FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann said.

The announcement of the FIBA official drew deafening applause from more than 300 people, including Pilipinas Basketball (PB) and BAP stakeholders and other local big sports personalities who attended the historic Unity Congress held at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City.

"I think today we can rejoice, the FIBA can rejoice. We were very close. We're just waiting for some formalities. It is the most rectifying resolve in today's congress here," said Baumann.

In behalf of POC president Jose 'Peping' Cojuangco, POC vice president Monico Puentevella promised to work immediately on the application for accreditation of the BAP-SBP.

"If it is necessary to hold special general assembly meeting, we will do that. We're just waiting for the formal application letter from Mr. Pangilinan. I can guarantee you that early next week, the accreditation will be out," said Puentevella.

Baumann, who arrived midway of the unity congress direct from Bangkok, Thailand, commended the basketball stakeholders specifically Pangilinan for showing patience and working hard just to attain unity in basketball.

"I didn't know Mr. Pangilinan until I met him twice. He is a very patient man and that patience has gone very far up to five in the morning in Bangkok. He certainly deserves the credit for bringing us here today," said Baumann.

Pangilinan felt relieved, saying the time he took from his hectic schedules as one of the country's premier businessman has "paid off" after successfully merging the two warring factions – BAP and PB – based on the Tokyo communique signed in the presence of FIBA officials on August 28 last year.

"Relieved that we finally achieved this unity and yet worried because of the big task ahead of us," said Pangilinan, who expressed interest in hosting the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) championship originally to be hosted by Kuala Lumpur.

Despite the untimely death of his mother due to lingering illness, new BAP president Go Teng Kok attended the congress, along with other BAP officials including Boni Alentajan and Christian Tan, who was later elected legal counsel and treasurer of the BAP-SBP, respectively.

As expected, Pangilinan has been elected President of the new basketball federation while Camarines Sur Gov. Luis Villafuerte and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas have been chosen chairman and vice chair, respectively.

Other elected officials who will serve for only one year are lawyer Marivic Anonuevo as secretary while former BAP president and Senator Jinggoy Estrada as special adviser.

For his part, PBA commissioner Noli Eala was happy that unity in basketball has been achieved and soon would lead to the lifting of the FIBA suspension.

"I'm really gratified. We have been through a lot of hard work. We travelled in all corners of the world just to reach this unity," said Eala who was there when the stakeholders travelled as far as Geneva, Seoul, Japan and Bangkok for important meetings with FIBA officials.

After the meeting, Baumann took time to reach hands with national coach Chot Reyes and national players whom he advised to work doubly hard to get slot for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"The ball now is in your hand. You have to work hard and show to all your countrymen that you deserve to play in the Olympics," he said.

Frank Elizalde, representative of International Olympic Committee (IOC) to the Philippines, challenged all the basketball stakeholders and the officials of the BAP-SBP to forget the past and look forward to revive the game.

Due to the suspension, the Philippines failed to participate in last December's 15th Asian Games in Doha, Qatar and basketball has been excluded in the 2005 Manila SEA Games.