Tiny forgives and forgets

Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Quinteliano (Tiny) Literal says he was shabbily treated by officials of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) during the recent Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Kuala Lumpur but he’s willing to forgive and forget.

Literal arrived in K.L. last Sept. 6 and to his surprise, was informed by the Crown Princess Hotel front desk clerk he wasn’t registered as part of the Philippine delegation. Since it was around midnight, Literal had the decency not to wake up POC president Celso Dayrit or chef de mission Freddie Jalasco. He grinned and bore it.

Poor Tiny – who endured over nine months of the POC’s indecision before finally being confirmed as BAP president by no less than the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) – agreed to sign in as "an ordinary guest" and deposited $100 to his account.

After three days, the hotel clerk sent Literal a bill for his stay. That was the last straw – the humiliation was too much.

Literal relates that he sought out Nestor Ilagan, a POC official, for his accreditation and to check if his hotel bill would be paid for as was agreed on for National Sports Association (NSA) heads.

To his shock, Ilagan issued an accreditation for Literal as a utility man, like a ballboy in the basketball team.

"May umipit daw sa aking accreditation," says Literal. "Sabi ko sa kanila, kung wala akong accreditation, uuwi na lang ako at baka sumama rin ang basketball team."

So who tried to put Literal in the freezer? Literal says he knows who they are and they know who they are – a writer and a government official – but never mind. Forgive and forget.

Literal says POC and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) officials strutted around town in expensive Mercedes Benzes while he joined the basketball team in a bus. Never mind. Forgive and forget.

First Gentleman Mike Arroyo was the bright light in the Philippines’ campaign, continues Literal.

"Nagsumbong ako kay Mike," Literal says. "Sinabihan niya si Butch (Tuason) na tigilan nila yung pag-aapi sa akin. Sabi ni Butch, hindi ang PSC ang may kasalanan – ang POC daw."

When Arroyo asked why Literal’s accreditation was initially withheld, Jalasco said it was because the POC doesn’t recognize him as BAP president. "Tama na ’yan," barked Arroyo, obviously irked by the divisiveness of politics. Jalasco kept quiet after that rebuke.

"Ibang klase rin si Mike," says Literal. "Can you believe that when he was eight or nine years old, I would sleep in their house because he studied at Ateneo and I was a basketball player for the school."

Arroyo wasn’t scheduled to watch the Philippines game against Indonesia in basketball but Literal persuaded him to inspire the players. Then, Literal invited Arroyo to fly back to K.L. from the President’s state visit in Japan for the title game on Sept. 16 so he could award the gold medals to the boys. Arroyo instructed his aide Nestor Camacho – coincidentally, the son of Literal’s first cousin – to make sure of his flight bookings so he could watch the final game.

Literal says the Philippine victory in basketball was a cause for celebration among Filipinos in K.L. Johnson & Johnson regional head Ding Salvador, who studied in Ateneo and La Salle, hosted a dinner after the game and according to Literal, must have spent at least P300,000. Ambassador Chito Brillantes, Secretary Dick Gordon, and Sen. John Osmeña were also around to cheer for the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) All-Stars who comprised the national squad.

No Philippine participation in the SEA Games is complete without the basketball team, that’s for sure.

Whether the POC likes it or not, Literal says he’s in charge of the BAP.

"Ako na talaga," he says. "I am recognized by FIBA. I was assured by the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) that no Philippine team will be allowed to participate internationally without my approval."

Literal says ABC president Carl Men Ky Ching of Hong Kong is a shoo-in to become FIBA president next year and that will solidify his leadership in the BAP because he has the 47-nation ABC’s full support.

Literal says he spent his own money to lobby for the lifting of the BAP ban by traveling to Shanghai to meet Ching and to Saitama to meet FIBA secretary general Borislav Stankovic.

"I told Stankovic I am lobbying to lift the ban not for the BAP but for 78 million Filipinos who love basketball," he adds. "It is unthinkable that the Philippines would not be able to defend the title at the Southeast Asian Games. Stankovic was surprised I am not Chinese – I think some people told him of the so-called Chinese connection in the BAP. I reminded Stankovic that I picked him up at the airport as the head of the Yugoslavian delegation for the World Championships in Manila in 1978. I told him I would abide by whatever decision FIBA makes. Then he put his arm around me – sabi niya, don’t you trust me? He assured me to leave the BAP issue to him – he would take care of it."

Literal says he worked hard to lift the BAP ban. Without the lifting, the Philippines wouldn’t have been able to capture the gold medal in basketball in K.L.

"Patatawarin ko na lahat ng mga umaapi sa akin – alang-alang sa mga kababayan natin," says Literal. "Ang balak ko ay tumawag ng summit of all leaders of basketball so that once and for all, mabuo natin ang BAP to represent every league in the Philippines."

Now, that’s the BAP president talking.