Sinabi ni PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios na maaari ng ituloy ang pagpili ng national coach matapos makakuha ang Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas sa ilalim ng pamunuan ni Manny Pangilinan ng temporary restraining order para sa naunang ipinalabas na desisyon ng Manila Regional Trial Court.
Nagpalabas si Justice Juan Enriquez Jr. ng Court of Appeals Division 11 ng temporary restraining order, para pigilan si Judge Antonio ng Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 24 sa pagpapatupad ng kanyang desisyon na isawalang bisa ang pagkakahalal ni Pangilinan bilang SBP president noong June.
“To preserve the status quo and so as not to render ineffectual and nugatory the judgment that will be rendered in this decision, a temporary restraining order valid for 60 days is hereby issued enjoining the respondents and all persons acting for them from executing, enforcing, implementing or otherwise giving effect to the assailed decision dated Sept. 3, 2008 rendered by the Manila RTC Branch 24,” ani Enriquez sa kanyang order.
“We’ve got preliminary relief, and we’re confident the Court of Appeals will reverse the RTC ruling. We’re confident the Court of Appeals will find our arguments meritorious,” wika naman ni SBP executive director Noli Eala.
“If It means there’s no legal impediment, I’ll now proceed with my assignment. I’ll work on it as agreed upon -- the sooner the better,” sabi naman ni Barrios.
Nabinbin ang pagbuo ng national team dahil ayaw ni Barrios na magkaroon ng problemang legal dahil nag-aaway pa ang dalawang asosasyon kung sino ang lehitimong national cage body.
Ngunit nilinaw ng league commissioner na hindi inaabandona ang SBP at tutuparin nila ang kanilang commitment na bumuo ng Pambansang koponan.
Iginiit ni PBA board chairman Joaqui Trillo ang kanilang pagsuporta sa grupo ni Pangilinan at sinabi niyang mananatili ang kanilang commitment na bumuo ng national team para sa FIBA-Asia championship sa susunod na taon.
“The board has made a commitment and we’ll stand by it. We’re a member in good standing of the SBP and we’re happy with the leadership of fine gentlemen Manny Pangilinan and Gov. Oscar Moreno,” sabi ni Trillo.
Tinanggap ng PBA board ang alok ng SBP sa pro league na muling kumatawan ng bansa sa FIBA-Asia championship na magsisilbing qualifier para sa 2010 world championship sa Turkey. (Nelson Beltran)