Lhuillier, Alcoseba also mull leaving BAP

Removing Sen. Jinggoy Estrada as its president has fast turned out to be a very big, very costly mistake for the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP).

Since Estrada was sacked by the BAP executive board led by Graham Lim, a number of officials and members of the beleaguered basketball association have already jumped ship.

Yesterday, vice president for the Visayas Yayoy Alcoseba said he is ready to bolt the BAP if joining the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will lead to the lifting of the FIBA suspension on the Philippines.

Alacoseba said BAP chairman Michele Lhuillier is also about to abandon the BAP which has boldly contested the creation of the SBP to be headed by businessman Manny V. Pangilinan and Estrada.

"Would it help lift the suspension if we join the SBP? If it would, then we’ll do it," said Alcoseba who, however, added the SBP should first provide a better program for basketball in the Visayas.

Alcoseba and Lhuillier have already met with a couple of SBP officials to express their desire to leave the BAP.

Pangilinan and Estrada last Friday went to the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) headquarters in Geneva to present FIBA officials an update on the healing process taking place in RP basketball.

Joining the SBP bigwigs were commissioners Noli Eala of the Philippine Basketball Association and Jose Capistrano of the University Athletics Association of the Philippines, and PBA chairman Ricky Vargas.

"The domino effect is taking place at the BAP," said Eala of the ongoing exodus.

Estrada flew home a few days ago while the rest were scheduled to come in last night and are scheduled to hold a press conference to inform the media of the results of the Geneva meeting.

The first to leave the BAP in favor of the newly-formed SBP was NAASCU (National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities) president Dr. Jay Adalem.

Fritz Gaston, the BAP spokesman and director, then followed suit. It was a big blow to the BAP since the former Ateneo Blue Eagle and ex-professional cager was part of the circle.

The other day, Negros Occidental Sports and Cultural Facilities Management board has given up as host of the National Students Basketball Championship set next month in Dumaguete City.

Estrada was removed as BAP president barely four months after he was installed by the same group headed by Lim.