Board to tackle RP team, Asi, Purefoods case

The brewing controvery involving the leaders of the Basketball Association of the Philippines may work against the cage body’s request for the PBA to lend players to the national team bound for the 2001 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur this September.

"If asked on my thoughts on this I would say we ask them (the BAP) first whether their problem is already over. Baka mamaya sabihin naming okay bibigyan namin kayo ng players, hindi naman pala sila ang grupo na papunta sa SEA Games," said acting PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios.

The PBA Board of Governors and the Commissioner’s Office will likely discuss the matter among other things as they hold their meeting for the month of June tonight at the Manila Golf Club.

Actually high on the agenda is the Purefoods case but San

Miguel Corp. will likely ask the board that it be given more time in presenting its plan with regards to the three franchises now under its wings.

A reliable source said SMC will appeal that Purefoods be allowed continued participation in the league beyond this season although the giant food conglomerate is now studying the possibility of a return stint in the PBL.

The board may also inquire on how Asi Taulava’s clearance was worked out by Mobiline with the Department of Justice and discuss if the Commissioner’s Office really has jurisdiction in cases like that of coach Alfrancis Chua.

The Commissioner’s Office had had another tussle with the Tanduay team recently as Barrios and his staff, on Chua’s appeal, ordered the ballclub to settle its financial obligation with its former coach, whom it sacked and replaced with Derick Pumaren early this year. — Nelson Beltran