"If that’s the only solution to this problem, then I welcome that move by the POC," said Literal, the leader of the "other" BAP group that will host the Southeast Asia Basketball Association Men’s Championship from April 2-9 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
The seven-nation tournament, where the Philippines is the defending champion, was formally launched yesterday at the Orchid Gardens suite in Malate, a day after the POC announced during its General Assembly the holding of the election that will pit Literal against the candidate of the "other" group now led by Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat.
Puyat, who served as BAP president for more than two decades before turning over the leadership to Freddie Jalasco in 1995, once again took over the BAP after the latter filed a leave of absence earlier this month following a long, heated leadership dispute with Literal.
Jalasco yesterday told The STAR that their group has yet to decide on whom to field against Literal. "Actually, we haven’t received any formal letter from the POC regarding the holding of the presidential election. We don’t know yet but it will be Tiny against the mighty," he said.
Back to the SEABA, Literal said Indonesia yesterday confirmed its participation in the event where the top two teams will earn slots to the Asian Basketball Confederation Men’s Championship scheduled this October in Shanghai, China.
Indonesia’s late confirmation brings to seven the participating countries, counting Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and host Philippines which will be represented by a team made up of players coming from the Metropolitan Basketball Association and coached by Boycie Zamar.
The seven teams have been divided into two groups with the Philippines bracketed with Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. The top teams from each group will play the second-ranked teams of the opposite group with the winners advancing to the winner-take-all championship on April 7.
In the opening day, it will be Thailand against Brunei, Philippines against Singapore and Malaysia against Vietnam. The event will be marketed and aired live by ABS-CBN using PTV 4 as broadcaster.
Making up the RP team are Romel Adducul, John Ferriols, Omanzie Rodriguez, Homer Se, Eddie Laure, Reuben dela Rosa, Peter Martin, Chris Calaguio, Stephen Padilla, Vince Hizon, Jomar Tierra, Junel Mendiola and Edgar Echavez.