BAPI bats for cage superbody

Nic Jorge, whose basketball organization was recognized recently by the courts as the legitimate national sports body, yesterday said he plans to revive the formation of a "basketball superbody" to help shore up the sport’s sagging image in the country.

Jorge, leader of the court-recognized Basketball Association of the Philippines, Inc. (BAPI), however, said the BAPI should first extend its hands to all stakeholders in the sport, including officials of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), whose ascendancy was declared null and void by the Court of Appeals recently.

To achieve this, however, Jorge asked the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee to abide by the court’s ruling.

Jorge made the announcement even as BAP secretary general Graham Lim maintained that the BAP should remain as the country’s sole governing body for the sport because it is recognized by the POC and the International Amateur Basketball Federation (FIBA).

He also said that the POC, through its president Celso Dayrit, should go easy on recognizing officials other than those certified by the FIBA.

"The formation of a basketball superbody has been a long-time dream for many basketball leaders since the idea was first floated several years back through the initiative of the BAPI, Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, the UAAP, NCAA and several other collegiate leagues," Jorge said. "We are encouraging these groups to help us revive this call. And we are willing to work with the group of Tiny Literal to achieve this. Para sa bayan naman ang panawagan na ito."

Jorge’s BAPI was recently declared the legitimate association for basketball by the CA 13th division, which affirmed a ruling by the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 12 nullifying the existence of the BAP.

The CA also ruled that the BAPI maintain status quo prior to the Aug. 14, 1995 election that divided the association into two groups. All other elections that followed it, including the controversial 2001 polls were declared illegal. The court order is final and executory.

Jorge has initiated talks with leaders of the PBA, PBL and the leading collegiate leagues to start spadework for a "superbody." He also recently held talks with provincial basketball leaders, most of whom have already signified their recognition of the BAPI as the legal and legitimate association for the sport in the country.

"The reception that the BAPI received from the basketball leaders is tremendous. I could say that if we would only open our minds and form a strong united front, Philippine basketball would move on. Kailangan lang natin maisa-ayos lahat," Jorge said.

According to Jorge, he plans to call for elections in all BAPI regions soon before the association selects the BAPI’s new leaders from among those who will be legitimately elected by its representatives.

"Aalisin na natin yung mga bata-bata system na nakasira sa association in the past. It is time to make the BAPI a professional and working group. Doon lang natin maisasa-ayos ang takbo ng Philippine basketball," Jorge said.