POC lauds lifting of BAP suspension

Philippine Olympic Committee president Celso Dayrit yesterday welcomed the FIBA decision to lift its suspension on the BAP last Sunday but refused to make a stand on whether or not the POC was ready to recognize Quintellano "Tiny" Literal as the rightful head of the local basketball body.

The lifting of the suspension, handed down last June 22, means that the country can now field a team that will defend the men’s basketball crown in next week’s Kuala Lumpur SEA Games. This development, according to the POC chief, should be enough to please basketball-loving Filipinos — at least for now.

"We should be happy that the suspension has been lifted. Now, we can play in the SEA Games and let’s just focus on it," said Dayrit. "All we have to do now is help keep the morale of our players high so they can defend the title in Kuala Lumpur and bring honor to our country."

Dayrit, however, said that since the SEA Games is scheduled to start on Saturday, there’s not enough time for the POC to settle the issue regarding the BAP presidency. "This will have to wait after the SEA Games. Wala ng oras. But as far as I’m concerned, I have not received any official communication from the FIBA," he said.

Romeo Ribaño, the POC secretary-general, aired his own opinion on the matter, saying the POC cannot just recognize Literal’s leadership of the BAP based on the FIBA decision.

"We cannot just recognize them because there are so many implications. Both sides have a point that’s why we have to study it first," said Ribaño. "Either way you go, there will be protests. But at least, our SEA Games participation is no longer in question because the FIBA cannot just say that it has changed its position."

Ribaño said the matter would have to be tackled first by the POC board, then its legal department and probably the general assembly for a final decision.

"We have to study it first. Shall we continue to recognize Mr. Puyat’s group or shall we now recognize Mr. Literal’s? There’s no question on the POC recognizing the BAP. We recognize the BAP. But it’s the personalities . . . the leadership that we need to study," he said.

"You cannot just wake up in the morning and make a decision on this. Eh, baka sumabog sa mukha natin ’yan. This is a vicious cycle and unless one of the parties blink, hindi pa tapos ito," he added.