The death of basketball

Basketball does not exist in the Philippines.

This is categorically what the FIBA suspension of the Basketball Association of the Philippines means to us. It means we cannot stand shoulder to shoulder among our neighboring countries and hold our heads up high in the international arena.

Today may be the day we resurrect our country’s passion. Philippine Sports Commission chair Butch Tuason, who has long had a distaste for infighting among sports officials, requested the factions of Lito Puyat and Tiny Literal – both "elected" BAP president – to meet with him and Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit, with the mediation of PLDT boss Manny Pangilinan, to present one set of officials and provide a final solution to this problem.

In the Olympic family (which reached 200 members back in September of 1995), there are two branches under the International Olympic Committee. The International Olympic Sports Federations (which is the aggrupation of individual sports groups worldwide) and Association of National Olympic Committees (the union which includes the Philippine Olympic Committee). The various individual sports federations are under the regulation of both, partly because each sport has certain competitions outside the IOC’s umbrella.

Technically speaking, the Philippines is now prevented from entering competitions which are under the Olympic banner, such as the Asian Basketball Confederation Men’s championship (which also serves as an Olympic qualifier) and the Southeast Asian Games. But we may be allowed to join club competitions and other tournaments that do not lead to such multi-sport or IOC-recognized tournaments.

What are some of the scenarios that could arise

First, FIBA could wait for the BAP to resolve its own problems without intervening. Second, it could assign a committee to arbitrate. One of FIBA’s three permanent international commissions is the Commission for Legal Matters and Eligibility, which is responsible for the development of by-laws and internal regulations. Third, it could just sit on our eligibility to teach us a lesson. (That would make Thailand and Malaysia very happy about their chances to win gold in the SEA Games).

If the meeting pushes through, it would be unlikely that either Puyat or Literal would back down. Each of them has been with the BAP for more than thirty years, and it would be a huge blow to their pride and accomplishments. Puyat can boast of his recognition in the international community and acceptance by the POC. Literal, who claims that Dayrit has been biased in handing out his recognition to Jalasco and now Puyat, can claim having staged the National Inter-Collegiate, SEABA and Asian Universities Basketball Championship despite the running battle for the BAP leadership. Puyat can say he won the June 7 elections by a shutout. Literal can claim he is recognized by the ABC (FIBA’s Zone Commission in Asia) and won five elections from December to June 20. Why would either of them back down?

The question here is how Manny Pangilinan will be able to soften the bullheadedness of both sides. It may also be possible for a "third force" to come out, from among the remaining disinterested BAP officials, if there still are any. Both sides are counting on Pangilinan‘s stature as a guarantee of a fair resolution.

Puyat may offer Literal vice-presidency, a position he already held for years. Literal may tell Puyat to remain chairman and leave the day-to-day affairs to him. But I think both sides are sick of empty promises, so promises of future gains are going to be unacceptable.

Consider this: chairmanship of a sports federation is not a politically active position in the international committee. One cannot run for membership of the POC Board, presidency of the POC or a position in other IOC bodies unless one is a president. According to some BAP insiders, that is what ignited this whole mess, when Jalasco and Puyat both allegedly wanted to run for the POC Board.

Cutting through all the smokescreens and promises, let’s just ask ourselves one question: who can bring stability to Philippine basketball? If one of these men can provide full-time national men‘s and women‘s teams, participation in more international tournaments, staging of more tournaments here, constant upgrading for referees and officials, and importation of foreign coaches and trainers, then they deserve the job.

Anyone else is just a talking head.

Note: I said I would write about the continuing triumphs of the Philippine Sports Association for the Differently Abled (PHILSPADA), but I felt that the critical situation of Philippine basketball‘s status in international competition merits serious attention, so, with due apologies to Mike Barredo and our differently-abled brethren, I will fulfil my promise on Saturday.