We’re neutral, says RP cage coach on row

Boycie Zamar, head coach of the national men’s basketball team, tried to get off the hook yesterday when he told Basketball Association of the Philippines president Freddie Jalasco that he never issued a statement saying he is recognizing Quintellano "Tiny" Literal as the legitimate head of the BAP.

Last Wednesday, Jalasco, the BAP president being recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and the Philippine Sports Commission, said he would fire Zamar as coach of the national men’s team if the latter indeed said he is supporting Literal as published in the newspapers earlier this week.

"My loyalty does not belong to any of the personalities involved in the BAP leadership dispute. It stays with the national team… our flag and country," said Zamar, who met with Jalasco yesterday afternoon to air his side on the latest twist in the ongoing BAP struggle.

"Ang naitanong lang naman sa akin (by a mediaman, eh kung sino ang nakikita namin at yun ay ang grupo ni Mr. Literal. Gusto ko ma clear na kahit kay Freddie o kay Tiny ay wala kaming pinapanigan. Kami sa national team ay hindi pumapanig sa kaliwa man o sa kanan," said Zamar.

"That’s what I told Mr. Jalasco during our meeting. I even urged him to solve his differences with Mr. Literal so the national team can focus on training," added Zamar, out to help the team retain the Southeast Asian Basketball (SEABA) title this month in Laguna, and the SEA Games title in Kuala Lumpur in September.

Jalasco could not be reached for comment although he said last Wednesday that he wanted to get the side of Zamar before making a decision, including putting up an alternative team just in case the 34-year-old national coach gets fired and the players sympathize with him.
Also scheduled to meet with Jalasco yesterday afternoon was Bay Cristobal, the head coach of the national women’s team, who was also quoted as saying that he fully supports and recognizes the leadership of Literal and that Jalasco "is like a king without a kingdom."