Filipino referee picked for Under-19 World caging

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino Arnolfo Bermeo has been picked as one of two Asians to officiate in the FIBA Under-19 World Championship for Men slated July 2-12 in Auckland, New Zealand.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala yesterday made the announcement after receiving an official letter from FIBA (International Basketball Federation) sports director Ljubomir Kotleba last week confirming Bermeo’s nomination and selection.

“Bermeo is one of the nine international referees of the SBP National Referees Corps,” Eala said. “He will be one of only two Asians in the 25-member pool of international referees selected from all over the world for the coming world tourney.”

“The SBP takes pride in the appointment by FIBA of referee Bermeo to the Youth World Championships,” SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan said. “We are happy that FIBA recognizes the various programs the SBP has undertaken to improve basketball in this part of the world.

“Our commitment to support basketball and our resolve to help all our stakeholders is strengthened by this development. This truly proves that the Filipino can excel in every field of sports given the proper support and training,” he said.

The SBP referees pool, headed by technical commission chair Perry Martinez, was formed in line with its objective of providing value added services to its member-associations as well as part of its effort to improve and standardize officiating in the country through the proper use of FIBA rules in all tournaments.

“The selection of a Filipino referee validates the vision and programs of the SBP as defined in our National Referees Development Program. We are confident that one day we will realize our dream of seeing a Filipino officiating in the basketball event of the Olympics,” Eala said.

A total of 16 countries are participating in the Under-19 World Championships, including the United States and Australia.

Asia will be represented by Iran and Kazakhstan, which placed in the top two of the last Fiba-Asia Championships for Junior Men held in Tehran where the Nokia Pilipinas National Team finished seventh. – Joey Villar