PSC padlocks BAP office

As a result of the suspension imposed by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) on the Basketball Association of the Philippines, the Philippine Sports Commission has decided to padlock the BAP office inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Monday.

"The FIBA has spoken so we have no choice but to padlock the office," said PSC commissioner Ritchie Garcia, adding that the decision was made also because the 30-day extension granted to Quintellano "Tiny" Literal’s BAP faction for the use of the said office was good only until the 30th of this month.

"Obviously, we cannot allow them to use our facilities and conduct business at our expense," added Garcia. The said extension was granted by the PSC upon the recommendation of the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) so as not to disrupt the country’s hosting of the Asian Universities Basketball Championship last June 3-9.

But to padlock the office is easier said than done because Literal, who claims to be the rightful BAP president and not Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat, said his group has no plans of vacating the office. — Abac Cordero