Barako Bull baka magkaproblema sa BCAP

MANILA, Philippines - Sinabi kahapon ni Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) president Chito Narvasa na kung itatalaga ng Barako Bull ang Serbian coach na si Rajko Toroman na magmamando ng Energy Cola sa PBA na hindi kinukonsulta ang kinauukulang grupo sa legalidad ng appointment, maaa-ring mademanda ang PBA franchise.

“This is a matter of jurisprudence,” sabi ni Nar-vasa.  “The ruling of the Court of Appeals on the case of foreigners displa-cing Filipinos to take head coaching jobs in our basketball leagues is final and executory.  We pushed for the ruling when foreigners like Bill Bayno, Paul Woolpert and John Moran became PBA head coaches and even after they left, we pursued the case to prevent a recurrence.  But let’s face it.  BCAP is the only party that will go to court in forcing the compliance of the ruling.  We don’t want to appear adversarial.  In fact, we wish to show support for all of basketball, particularly in the development of coaches.  If Barako intends to appoint Mr. Toroman, BCAP is willing to listen to what they have in mind.”

Sinabi ni Narvasa na hindi pa lumalapit sa BCAP ang PBA o ang Barako ukol kay Toroman.  Inamin niyang may isang kinatawan ng PBA franchise owner ang kumausap sa kanya para alamin ang kanyang opinyon ukol sa nakatakdang pagtatalaga kay Toroman.

“My first question is, are there PBA house rules regarding the employment of foreign coaches?” ani Narvasa.  “I’m sure BCAP would agree to some kind of house rules where maybe, a fo-reigner may be employed as a head coach for a maximum of one year with his assistant to succeed him.  He could be a consultant with the team after one season.  BCAP will agree to a foreigner being named a consultant like Mr. Toroman was with Petron.  Whether the foreigner acts as a consultant or head coach is up to the team owner but his actions will be subject to public scrutiny.”

Sinabi ni Narvasa na hindi naman talaga tutol ang BCAP sa pagkuha ng mga foreign coaches, partikular sa mga katulad ng mahusay na si Toroman. “We can learn a lot from coaches like Mr. Toroman,” ani Narvasa patungkol sa Serbian coach na nagdala sa Iran sa Olympics noong 2008.  “But BCAP only wants to be consistent in protecting Filipinos from being displaced.  Also, there is a law that must be upheld.  There are ways to employ foreign coaches and we should explore the options.  It’s time to unite especially since we are going to host the FIBA-Asia Championships.  We in BCAP fully support the SBP in this project.  Right now, our membership is around 1,000 coaches all over the country from as far north as Cagayan and south as Sulu.”

Sinabi rin ni Narvasa na kung kukunin si Toroman ng Barako bilang consultant, dapat na makita sa work permit ang kanyang bagong posisyon. “Mr. Toroman’s work permit with Petron cannot be carried over.”