POC expels BAP, warns other NSAs

After mustering the needed votes, the Philippine Olympic Committee yesterday erased the Basketball Association of the Philippines from its roster, then warned the rest of the national sports associations (NSAs) they would suffer the same fate if they don’t play by the rules.

POC chairman Robert Aventajado announced the final verdict to the media: 33 votes in favor of the BAP expulsion, two against (cycling and baseball), two absentees (archery and triathlon) and one abstention (badminton). The BAP did not vote.

"All accounted for. Walang dagdag-bawas," said Aventajado, the taekwondo president, after the POC garnered more than the needed 30 votes or two-thirds of the 39 voting members, including International Olympic Committee representative to the Philippines Frank Elizalde.

Asked if this serves as a warning to the rest, Aventajado said: "I guess so. Agreements entered into with the Philippine Olympic Committee should be respected."

The POC General Assembly met for more than two hours at the Milky Way Restaurant in Makati. BAP president Joey Lina took the floor and appealed in behalf of his association — why it shouldn’t be expelled and why it should be given a second chance.

"Our appeal fell on deaf ears. I tried my best to save the day for the Basketball Association of the Philippines. A 70-year-old association has just been buried by the POC," said Lina, referring to the BAP, formed in 1936 under a different name.

"We looked at the BAP as the prodigal son that, after being repentant, was allowed back into the house. But it seemed that from the start, from the moment the BAP was suspended (May 25), expulsion was already in the minds of those who voted for it," he added.

He said the BAP has brought so much honor for the country then admitted that it has erred, too.

"But look at the United States. They’ve been losing in the Olympics and the World Championships. After all, who among us do not commit mistakes? For the mistakes of some, the entire BAP has been banished," added the former senator.

Lina found no "malice" in those who voted for the BAP’s expulsion, saying "I’ve always seen god faith even in those who voted against us."

In the days leading to the vote, Lina said he was even offered the presidency of the Philippine Basketball Federation , Inc., which is being formed to take the place of the BAP.

"I was told ‘you’re okay, you’re okay and we don’t have any problem with you, and you’re not part of the problem.’ They even said they want me to head the PBFI. But I told them I’m already the president of the BAP," said Lina.

Like a true captain, he did not abandon ship.

Aventajado said as he spoke, a letter is being prepared to be forwarded to the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).

"We will inform the FIBA of this development and once we formalize everything with the PBFI, we will seek their recognition," said Aventajado.

In case the FIBA refuses to make any stand on the matter or not until its executive board meets this weekend, the BAP will remain as the NSA being recognized by the FIBA. Therefore, it might still be allowed to represent the country in the SEABA Championships scheduled to start July 5 in Malaysia.

POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco attended the meeting, barely a day after returning from a four-week stay in the US where he had his annual medical check-up. He was one of the very few who didn’t look happy with the development.

"I’m not happy. I’m never happy with something like this," he said, before turning away from the media.