The legal limit - THE GAME OF MY LIFE by Bill Velasco

What is the legal limit for what is going on in Philippine basketball? Despite the boom that began last Sunday with the simultaneous openings of the MBA, PBA and Asian Universities Basketball Championship, there are still judicial entanglements weighing the sport down.

First of all, in a pockmarked election, Lito Puyat had himself elected president of the BAP once again, after Freddie Jalasco decided to take a dignified exit. Puyat, of course, stacked the deck in his favor by having it in a friendly venue, and finding an irresistible ally in PLDT boss Manny Pangilinan, a known heavy supporter of local basketball.

Of course, it was without its share of brickbats. Almost simultaneously, the group of Tiny Literal waged their own press conference, accusing the Puyat faction of breaking the law, since there was an instruction from the court to move the venue. How this will all play out is beyond me.

Now that he is "president," what will Puyat do with all the work that has gone on in the interim? He has been quoted as saying he will work for harmony in the association, but harmony consists of many voices, not just those sympathetic to one party. What of the national men’s team that has been practicing since November and annexed the SEABA title scant weeks ago? They adamantly refused to step into the fray and kept working for the cause, until they were forced to choose sides. Will they still continue their tenure, or will there be a more "acceptable" group to play? Given the weak field in the SEA Games, even a group of college athletes could win the gold medal. But if the BAP decided to pursue the ABC Men’s championship and the Jones Cup, that’s another story.

Will the regional trial court that suggested the transfer of venue find Puyat and company in contempt? And what about all the plans that Literal and company have made? We all know the political culture here in the Philippines: new administration, new everything. That’s why we don’t get anywhere.

Meanwhile, another legal battle is quietly raging in the offices of the MBA. Vince Hizon, late of the Iloilo MegaVoltz, has sought the assistance of MBA Com. Ogie Narvasa to resolve his long-standing problems with the MegaVoltz, who have allegedly not paid him for more than a year.

It all started when Hizon was injured in a collision in a game against the Nueva Ecija Patriots towards the end of 1999. He came down hard, and felt a great deal of pain. Doctors here thought it was nothing serious.

"Turns out I had four fractures in my shoulder," Hizon told The STAR. "So I flew to the States to see the best doctor there."

Apparently, that was just the start of his troubles. After a full recovery, Hizon returned in March of last year. He was not allowed to play.

Despite clearance letters from his doctor and therapist, and personal requests from him and his coach Danny Gavieres, Hizon was still denied the chance to suit up. Eventually, he did see action, and the MegaVoltz went on a modest winning streak.

The team was supposed to merge with the Southern Conference champion Negros Slashers. But an ownership dispute between Robert Puckett and Mari Cuna supposedly spoiled that. Still, the Slashers held out hope that Hizon would play for them, and released veteran swingman Romy dela Rosa. Months later, the situation has remained the same.

By Hizon’s accounts, the MegaVoltz owe him upwards of P 8 million. Last February, he sought the assistance of the MBA commissioner’s office. According to MBA operations director Butch Antonio, they hope the issue will finally be resolved within a couple of weeks.

Unfortunately, because of the nature of his contract, Hizon is not allowed to practice or play with any other franchise, the Philippine team being the only exception. The Slashers offered him a new contract at a reduced rate. He didn’t accept. He’s been criticized for holding out for the money, but claims that he voluntarily took a cut of P600,000 in the hope of smoothing things over. Besides, he never made anybody pay him that much, did he?

When his contract expires the end of the season, the former PBA All-Star will be a free man. But he would have lost a year and a half of the best years of his life.

"I just want to play," he repeats, shaking his head in frustration. "I watched some old tapes of some of my games to remind myself that I can still play."