Unity Congress to go on with elections sans BAP

Pressed for time, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is holding the "Unity Congress" without delay on Feb. 5 and would reconstitute the 25-man interim board in the absence of nominees from the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

Thus said PBA commissioner Noli Eala, the SBP spokesman, amid reports that the BAP, now under Go Teng Kok, might not attend the congress, which is the culmination of efforts to unify Philippine basketball.

Eala, however, is hopeful BAP officials would attend. Whether they’re coming as BAP representative or on a personal basis is another question, though.

Among the BAP leaders or former leaders expected in the congress are Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Michele Lhuillier, Yayoy Alcoseba and Fritz Gaston.

The BAP and Pilipinas Basketball (PB) have 12 nominees each in the SBP interim board. The last slot is reserved for neutral member business mogul Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP). Eala said quorum will surely be attained with PB’s 12 nominees and MVP showing up.

"PB’s nominees and Mr. MVP will constitute a simple majority so there will be a quorum. If the BAP people aren’t there, then we would reconstitute the 25-man board," said Eala stressing there’s no stopping now the creation of a unified body that would seek accreditation with the Philippine Olympic Committee then the International Basketball Federation.

"Without the group of Mr. Go, we can still form a unity slate with Sen. Estrada there. Up to now, he’s still in the three-man panel since the BAP has yet to notify the three-man panel of a replacement," Eala also said.

While everybody is welcome in the Unity Congress, Eala said revalidation of members would be undertaken after the election.

While PB presents just a handful of members, the BAP boasts of over 80 clubs and organizations in its fold. However, the BAP list includes mere company cage groups.

And whether Go and other newly-elected BAP officials like Congressmen Luis Villafuerte and Douglas Cagas have a basketball association to speak of remains a question.

"BAP will not run out of members and officials because it’s so easy for them to appoint one," said a former BAP official.

Eala said their main concern is to complete the requirements to get the lifting of the country’s suspension by FIBA in accordance with the Tokyo joint communique.

"This is FIBA’s call. They provided us the roadmap. They told us to comply with the Tokyo Accord and we’re complying," said Eala.