POC chief bats for Pangilinan-led BAP coalition

While the much-awaited meeting between Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat and Quintellano "Tiny" Literal hangs in the air, the formation of a new Basketball Association of the Philippines coalition – with businessman Manny Pangilinan at the helm – is now being considered.

Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit yesterday said that since Puyat and Literal both refuse to give an inch in their long-drawn battle for the top BAP post, it would be better for them – and Philippine basketball in general – to let Pangilinan, the PLDT president, run the basketball body.

"Mr. Pangilinan running the BAP is a good alternative because if Mr. Puyat and Mr. Literal agree to that, then the problem is solved. I think they should both agree to that," said Dayrit. "All we need is just an agreement that one person will head the BAP and the FIBA suspension will be lifted."

Freddie Jalasco, the former BAP president, said Pangilinan, who owns the Mobiline franchise in the PBA, can be designated as officer-in-charge just to "break the impasse" and allow the country to compete in this month’s ABC men’s championship in China, and in September’s SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

The International Basketball Federation (Fiba) has placed the BAP under suspension, therefore barring the Philippines from competing in any Fiba-sanctioned tournaments. The suspension will be lifted if a new BAP head, acceptable to both factions and the POC, will be installed.

"A coalition for the sake of basketball could be the solution. And Mr. Pangilinan, as BAP head, can even let Mr. Puyat and Mr. Literal be part of his administration. No conditions and no obstacles. Then let Mr. Pangilinan take it from there. The naming of the other officers can wait," added Dayrit.

Dayrit said the POC will accept any agreement to be forged between Puyat and Literal and that the Olympic body "will never be an obstacle" to the solution of the six-month basketball crisis which has placed the country in an embarrassing position before the international community.

Pangilinan was named chairman of the Puyat group during their June 7 elections in Makati while Isabela Congressman Antonio Abaya emerged chairman of the Literal group during their June 20 elections at the Manila Regional Trial Court library.