Philippines - IOC rep hails united basketball
International Olympic Committee (IOC) Representative to the Philippines Francisco Elizalde yesterday lauded the FIBA for its all-out support to push through with the Unity Congress of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas yesterday at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City
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International Olympic Committee (IOC) Representative to the Philippines Francisco Elizalde yesterday lauded the FIBA for its all-out support to push through with the Unity Congress of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas yesterday at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City.
"My hats off to FIBA, they guided the organization to get back on track," said Elizalde, who attended the congress together with several Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) officials.
The congress formally merged Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and Pilipinas Basketball (PB) as a unified organization.
The SBP also elected telecommunication tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, which chaired the three-man panel, as president via acclamation as well as other officers of the 25-man board of trustees.
"This BAP group, they were talking (last week) about boycott, TRO. Now they’re talking about unity, and that’s a good sign that basketball is back on track," he added.
Before it seeks the world governing body’s recognition, the SBP will have to be a member of the Olympic family, and the IOC official hopes that the POC will act as soon as possible.
"In the case of the POC, though it’s not for me to say it, it should recognize (the SBP) as soon as possible," said Elizalde. "I assume the POC will call a special meeting."
POC First Vice President Rep. Monico Puentevella (Bacolod), legal counsel Atty. Lito Tanjuatco and media bureau chief Joey Romasanta were present to monitor the proceedings of the congress.
"If things proceed the way we at the POC foresee this whole process, smooth and hassle-free, the POC will give recognition. We’ll just wait for their formal application," said Tanjuatco.
Meanwhile, Philippine Basketball League Commissioner Chino Trinidad is praying that what happened to Philippine basketbal the past two years would never be repeated.
"Sana huwag ng maulit," said Trinidad yesterday before the start of the Unity Congress that finally settled the crisis.
Trinidad said the feud involving the basketball stakeholders led by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), PBL and the Philippine Olympic Committee versus the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) put a strain the relations between the country’s officials.
"I just hope that the constitution and by-laws will not allow the things that have taken place to happen once again," said Trinidad who was elected member of the board of trustees.