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BAP CEASES TO BE

SBP goes on its own as NSA

By Julius Manicad

11/21/2008

Emboldened by a recent decision by the Court of Appeals recognizing the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas as the sole, legitimate national association for the the sport, the SBP yesterday stripped the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) of its share in the merger formerly approved by the Fiba (International Basketball Federation).

The association will now be known officially as the SBP, with its officials, led by its president, telecommunications mogul Manny Pangilinan, vowing to launch a nationwide information drive to counter the posturing of the BAP, which still claims to be the legitimate NSA for the sport.

“Yes we have dropped BAP from the official name of the legitimate national basketball association of the country,” SBP executive director Noli Eala told the Tribune.

The SBP decision left the BAP with no legal ground to stand on, being an outsider in official affairs of the SBP.

And coupled with the 16-page decision dated Nov. 18, by the CA (Court of Appeals)’s special ninth division, which affirmed the SBP’s national congress last June 12 when Pangilinan was elected president, the BAP is now considered officially defunct.

Also, the appellate court did not recognize the supposed election of BAP chairman Luis Villafuerte as SBP chairman, saying it has no legal basis since the Camarines Sur congresman is not a legitimate member of the SBP board of trustees.

Based on the Bangkok agreement forged between the warring BAP and SBP, the chairman of the SBP should be a member of the SBP board of trustees. Although Villafuerte is serving as BAP chairman, he was never a part of the merger.

The CA decision, penned by Justice Josefina Guevarra-Salonga, also junked a lower court ruling last Sept. 3 earlier recognizing the existence of the BAP. The SBP was able to secure a temporary restraining order against the lower court ruling.

BAP, now led by losing senatorial candidate Prospero Pichay, has 15 days to contest the decision and elevate it to the Supreme Court.

But this early, Pangilinan said SBP will extend its hands to “reach and educate” BAP affiliates, saying they are welcome to become part of the SBP. The BAP claims to have 66 members, many of them commercial leagues and teams owned by politicians and business personalities.

Pangilinan also said the the SBP will urge associate members to upgrade their membership to become regular voting members.

“We have to move forward with our programs and reach out to other BAP members,” Pangilinan said during a press briefing at his PLDT office. “I hope this issue could finally be laid to rest. Other (associate) members should also upgrade their membership so they would have a full membership status and in good standing with the SBP.”

The Fiba, which monitored the development with full interest, was said to be elated over SBP’s legal victory. Fiba president Bob Elphinston and secretary general Patrick Baumann reportedly convinced Pangilinan to pursue the case in a meeting last week.

Also present in the conference were SBP counsels Marievic Anonuevo and Ramon Songco, SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas and Eala.

SBP chairman Oscar Moreno was not around, but sent a message that “we will continue to reach out and move forward for the improvement of Philippine basketball.”

Vargas said even if the BAP continues to function, it no longer has the credibility since it is not recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Fiba and the court of law.

“Their programs would no longer be accredited and they cannot represent the country in international competitions,” Vargas said. “It is already a waste of time and resources to get involved with the BAP. But we are still reaching out, everyone is welcome to join.”