Door open for MVP to head new cage body

Manny V. Pangilinan is keeping the lines open. According to Bernie Atienza, president of Pilipinas Basketball, the chairman of telecommunication giants PLDT and Smart has yet to rule out the possibility of him heading the new basketball association that is being formed.

"Right now, his focus is on the three-man panel and the task at hand," said Atienza, referring to Pangilinan who heads the panel tasked to oversee the unification process that would lead to the formation of a new, unified basketball association.

"Mr. Pangilinan has emphasized that he’s not really after the position as head of the new association. But if there would be solid support he said he’d be willing to go out there," said Atienza during the weekly PSA Forum at the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila.

Joining Pangilinan in the panel are Atienza and BAP president Joey Lina. They have until the end of the month to accomplish a lot of things, including the creation of a new set of by-laws and the election of officers of the new group.

Both the BAP and PB will fold up to make way for the new group that will chart the future of Philippine basketball the moment it gets the accreditation of both the Philippine Olympic Committee or FIBA (International Basketball Federation).

The lifting of the FIBA suspension on the Philippines is expected to come next, and allow the country to participate in events like the Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games or even the Olympics. This year’s Asian Games is set in Doha, Qatar in December.

The members of the panel met for the first time last Monday, going through the constitution and by-laws of the BAP and PB from which they would pattern the new one.

During the meeting, Atienza said Pangilinan showed a lot of enthusiasm and interest in helping solve all the problems that have hounded Philippine basketball over the last couple of years.

"Mr. Pangilinan agreed to head the panel but said it’s not time to talk about him heading the new association," said Atienza.

Pangilinan agreeing to head the panel was by itself a huge development.

"I don’t think there’s anyone who is saddened by this," said Atienza, adding that by his observation, even Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco was happy with Pangilinan’s entry into the picture.

"But that’s only my observation," Atienza said.

This early, Rep. Monico Puentevella, POC vice president, has batted for Pangilinan heading the new association.