Big leagues recognize new BAP officials

The country’s three major leagues – the PBA, MBA and the PBL – yesterday welcomed the election of Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat and Manny Pangilinan to the top two positions in the Basketball Association of the Philippines and vowed to work hand in hand with the new leadership in an effort to help uplift the state of Philippine basketball.

The leaders of the three leagues likewise hoped that Puyat and Pangilinan’s election will finally resolve that leadership crisis that has dragged on since the controversy, which involves the other BAP faction of Tiny Literal, broke out last December.

"We hope that their election finally resolves the leadership crisis in the BAP," said PBA commissioner Jun Bernardino, whose recovery from a heart ailment has been speedy. "Let’s put the (leadership) dispute behind us now and work for a better BAP."

"The BAP has your PBA’s full support so that we can all work together to further develop the game of basketball," added Bernardino.

While admitting that he has had differences with Puyat in the past, PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad said he’s recognizing the comebacking BAP chief as the duly-elected president even as he urged all the cage leaders "to unite and work together towards the development of Philippine basketball and regaining the country’s glory in the Asian region."

"We would like to reiterate that the PBL is not into politics of personality but for the upliftment of Philippine basketball in general. What could best characterize this than the fusion of support of three major leagues – the PBA, MBA and the PBL – for the present BAP leadership," Trinidad said.

Trinidad added that the MBA has likewise supported the legitimacy of the new BAP leaders although the office of the MBA commissioner could not come up with an official statement since MBA chief Ogie Narvasa had to attend to a personal problem.

Meanwhile, the presence of Col. Buddy Andrada elections should not be translated as the Philippine Olympic Committee’s recognition of Puyat as BAP president and Pangilinan as chairman.

Andrada, head of the POC membership committee, showed up in the elections held at the Manila Bank Building in Makati City only as a "guest" but said that should the POC ask his opinion on the conduct of the elections, he would be willing to make a report that it was done in a clean, honest way.

The POC, through secretary-general Romeo Ribaño, yesterday said it will have to defer its recognition of the newly-elected BAP officers due to legal complications that may arise since the elections, according to Literal, was in defiance of a court order seeking a new date and venue of the elections.

"We have to consult with our lawyers first," said Ribaño. "The POC will have to be really careful with this issue since it involves legal matters. Literal’s motion for a TRO was denied but when the judge ordered for a new date and venue of the elections, it has become another story."

The temporary restraining order that would have prevented the holding of the elections was denied by Judge Artemio Tipon of the Manila Regional Trial Court before the new order was issued.

"That’s where the complication arises since the POC was only looking at a TRO since that was the only thing Literal’s group asked for. Lawyers quoted by newspapers found the judge’s order as somewhat an intervention. But again, our lawyers at the POC will have the final say on the recognition," added Ribaño.

The POC Executive Board will meet on Wednesday regarding the issue, according to Ribaño.

Since the BAP leadership dispute broke out last December, the POC has maintained its recognition of the BAP group, then led by Freddie Jalasco who later on filed a leave of absence, leaving the reins of power on Puyat, who served as head of the basketball body from 1968 until 1996.

But the issuance of a notice of elections by Puyat last May 7 left the POC with no other choice but wait for the official results of the elections before issuing its recognition to the winners.

Also expected to defer its actions on the BAP issue is the Philippine Sports Commission, the government sports agency that recognizes, and gives financial support to national sports associations duly-recognized by the POC.

Literal’s group did not show up in last Thursday’s elections, saying they were only following court orders and that the elections be held on June 20 at the library of the Manila Regional Trial Court.