Literal group to decide BAP’s fate

It’s all up to Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) presidential claimant Quinteliano (Tiny) Literal’s group. The country’s participation in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games hangs in the balance. Unless the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) lifts its suspension on the BAP, the Philippines will continue to be barred from sending a team to international competitions.

The suspension – slapped because a court order overruled a Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) decision to resolve the BAP’s leadership crisis – struck out the Philippines from playing at the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championships in Shanghai this month. The second strike could come at the SEA Games.

Literal told The STAR yesterday he is convening his version of the BAP’s 10-man Executive Board to decide whether or not to back up a compromise proposed by Philippine Long Distance Tel. Co. chairman Manuel Pangilinan to settle the leadership row. Pangilinan is suggesting the creation of a five-man steering committee made up of two representatives from his group, two from Literal, and one from Gonzalo (Lito) Puyat.

Both Literal and Puyat claim to be the legitimate BAP president.

Literal said his Executive Board will likely announce its decision today. He said his group is agreeable to participate in the steering committee on condition that BAP elections are held immediately after the SEA Games.

"I’ve been elected five times as president in the last eight months but the POC recognized Puyat who was voted in a sham election with only seven legitimate voters," said Literal. "There is a conspiracy against my group. If the POC wants another election, okay lang for as long as the National Board that reelected Freddie Jalasco as president last year will vote. There are 35 voters in the National Board and 29 of them voted for me in the elections that were upheld by the courts."

Literal said he met Pangilinan’s assistant Butch Meilly in Makati late last week with Philippine Amateur Track and Field Association (PATAFA) president Go Teng Kok and BAP treasurer claimant Christian Tan to discuss the steps to take in lifting FIBA’s suspension order.

"Walang katapusan itong gulo," said Literal. "We’re looking for a permanent, not just a temporary, solution. We need a summit to get everyone together. Sabi ni Mr. Meilly, hindi na makikialam si Mr. Pangilinan kung hindi kami magkasundo. Our deadline is the end of this month to settle our differences with the Puyat group. If we can’t agree, Mr. Pangilinan is backing out."

Former BAP Secretary-General Mauricio (Moying) Martelino, speaking in Puyat’s behalf, said he is agreeable to give Pangilinan a free hand to run the BAP and appealed to the rivaling groups to set aside their personal interests. He noted that a conciliatory document, certified by the POC, to establish the BAP leadership is what will lift FIBA’s suspension order.

Martelino said he will agree to an election after the SEA Games but warned that it will be rigged since the National Board is made up of Literal appointees. He suggested a revamp of the National Board to reflect a legitimate representation of the country’s basketball leagues.

"We should all be willing to sacrifice," said Martelino. "We should all get out – Puyat, Jalasco, everyone. Let Mr. Pangilinan choose his own people. Let him appoint those whom he believes will help him. He has no selfish interest, no hidden agenda. He has proven management expertise, he has the resources, he’s a basketball fan. The BAP needs to turn a new leaf – it needs a new image. Puyat will step down. If we’re willing to back off, why can’t the other group do it, too?"

If the Literal and Puyat groups fail to reach an agreement, Pangilinan will abandon his plan to save the BAP. Then, it’s back to square one.