Cebu teams sumuporta sa BAPI

Nagpahayag na ang mga Universities at basketball teams mula sa Cebu ng kanilang pagsuporta sa court recognized Basketball Association of the Philippines, Inc. (BAPI).

Ayon sa kanilang spokesman na si Frank Malilong, "we never supported the illegitimate Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) at all."

Ito ang naging statement ni Malilong matapos magbigay ng suporta ang mga basketball leaders mula sa Western Visayas sa BAPI at ito’’y higit na nagpalakas sa layunin ni Nic Jorge, ang secretary-general ng asosasyon na kilalanin ng Philippine Sports Commission at Philippine Olympic Committee bilang lehitimong asosasyon.

Ayon pa kay Jorge, inaasahang may mga susunod pang regional basketball leaders ang susuporta sa kanya.

Malaki ang pasasalamat ni Jorge sa Philippine Basketball League na kauna-unahang naging kasangga nito at umaasa siyang ng POC at PSC sa court order na patalsikin ang idineklarang ‘ilegal’ na BAP ng Court of Appeals sa kanilang tang-gapan sa Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

"These basketball leaders are very influential in their regions, and without them, Philippine Basketball will not move progressively," ani Jorge. "After Western Visayas, Bacolod and Cebu, there were more regional leaders who have expressed their support to the legal BAPI and they are expected to come out anytime soon."

"School owners are no longer happy with the BAP of Tiny Literal and Graham Lim. We are placing our support to the BAPI which was recognized by the court as the legitimate organization for the sport in the country," sabi naman ni Malilong.