PBA to take up RP 5 issue today

What position the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will take on its future involvement with the national team, in view of the country’s suspension by the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA), is in the agenda for discussion in the pro league’s Board of Governors 12 noon meeting in the PBA Board Room of Building A at the PhilSports Complex in Pasig today.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said he will bring the Board up to speed on the developments of the campaign to lift the country’s suspension and seek direction on whether or not to accept invitations to play in the Jones Cup in Taipei and the Global Hoops Summit in Las Vegas this summer.

Eala will also brief the Board on what was taken up with FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann and incoming FIBA president Bob Elphinson at a recent meeting in Seoul with Philippine Olympic Committee officials and representatives of four major cage stakeholders, including PBA chairman Ely Capacio and vice chairman Ricky Vargas.

"My position on the PBA’s involvement with the national team is if we let go now, it may look like we’re wavering or hedging," said Eala. "If we step back, there will be no alternative to the BAP (Basketball Association of the Philippines) which has been expelled by the POC."

Eala said the PBA’s Memorandum of Agreement with the BAP has been effectively rescinded with the league’s support of Pilipinas Basketball, the umbrella organization endorsed by the POC as the new National Sports Association and FIBA country affiliate.

Pilipinas Basketball is also being supported by the Philippine Basketball League, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

As for the invitations to the Jones Cup and the Global Hoops Summit, Eala said acceptance will depend on the Board’s direction to determine involvement with the national team.

Chinese Taipei Basketball Association president Wan Jen Tar invited the PBA to participate in the 28th annual Jones Cup on July 8-16 with the national teams of Qatar, Korea, Japan and Kazakhstan. Also invited to the 10-team tournament were a US selection and the Australian under-19 national squad. The invitation includes an offer for free round-trip air tickets, hotel accommodations, meals and local transport for a 17-man delegation from the PBA.

"Having your nation’s presence would mean a lot to us and really hope you could give this invitation a positive consideration," wrote Wan to Eala in a letter dated last March 29. "We understand that PBA could send us a very good team, therefore, we will not be in contact with the BAP in any way regarding this tournament."

Eala said the Global Hoop Summit organizers also invited the PBA to play in this year’s tournament slated a few days after the Jones Cup.

National coach Chot Reyes said the schedule can be worked out to fit playing in both the Jones Cup and the Global Hoops Summit.

"I’m hoping the Board will support our continued involvement with the national team as Mr. Baumann repeatedly told us to stay the course during the Seoul meeting," said Eala. "If Mr. Baumann felt we were on the wrong track, he wouldn’t have told us at least thrice to stay the course. He could’ve told us to join the BAP. I think Mr. Baumann realizes the BAP approach isn’t the lasting solution and that the Pilipinas Basketball approach is the permanent solution only it will take longer to process."

However, Baumann opened the door for an automatic lifting of the suspension if BAP president Joey Lina affixes his signature signifying support for Pilipinas Basketball.

Eala said he will discuss with the PBA Board the basis for the league’s involvement with the national team.

"We’ll start with setting the direction," said Eala. "We must have a basis to go on even before we talk about specifics, like playing in Taipei or Las Vegas or even the Asian Games in Doha."

Eala said assuming the Philippines is cleared to play basketball in Doha by the Olympic Council of Asia, it would be a rare opportunity to show FIBA and the world "we have the resources and control of basketball to properly represent the country which is the key to this issue."