Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Tiny Literal and secretary-general Graham Lim were invited to join the meeting. Representatives of the rival Basketball Association of the Philippines, Inc. (BAPI) were also invited.
As it turned out, the BAP sent neither Literal nor Lim to the meeting. Instead, "consultants" Willie Mateo and Danny Lopez came as "observers." Did the BAP deliver the message that it doesn’t think much of the "superbody" because, after all, it is the National Sports Association (NSA) for basketball as recognized by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA)? Surely, Literal or Lim could’ve found time in their busy schedules to attend the meeting but opted to snub it.
The BAP representatives were told that "observers" were not welcome because the invitation was to officials with the authority to speak for their organizations.
"Superbody" spokesman Chino Trinidad, the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) commissioner, said the convenors are motivated by a cause. He dismissed the notion of a power grab.
"If we’re just out to grab power (from the BAP), then we’re no better than the BAP that grabbed power from (Lito) Puyat," said Trinidad. "We’d be the same banana. We’ve decided to form the ‘superbody’ because the future of Philippine basketball is at stake. We want to bring a semblance of organization in our national basketball program. We want to restore pride in our national basketball team. The stigma of our 15th place finish in the ABC (Asian Basketball Confederation) championships last year is difficult to live down. That was our worst finish ever. We are fighting for a cause."
Trinidad explained that with the sport’s major stakeholders on the same page, there will finally be coordination in implementing the national basketball program. "We’re after cooperation and coordination," he continued. "We want a direction. We want to address the issues of organization, funding, selection of coaches and players for the national team, and the training of referees. We want to put an end to the bata-bata system."
Trinidad said the "superbody" has tasked Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) commissioner Noli Eala and himself to craft an action plan embodying inputs from stakeholders such as the PBA, PBL, NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), UAAP (University Athletic Association of the Philippines), NCRAA (National Capital Region Athletic Association), UCAA (Universities and Colleges Athletic Association) and others.
Trinidad said the groundswell of support for the "superbody" has been more than encouraging. He likened it to the "bandwagon" effect in an election campaign. Trinidad said more and more cage organizations are signifying intent to join the "superbody." He mentioned such organizations as the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP), the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural and Educational Association (NOPSCEA), the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI), the Iloilo Basketball League, the Iloilo Schools Athletic Association, the Baguio Educational Athletic League and the Small Basketeers of the Philippines.
Trinidad clarified that the "superbody" isn’t waging a personality war. "We’re sick and tired of personal fights," he went on. "Commissioner Eala made it clear in our meeting that our fight is based on principle. We can no longer take the mediocrity in Philippine basketball sitting down."
Trinidad said he’s not concerned about Lim’s immigration problems. The "superbody" isn’t involved in that issue although Trinidad said it’s important for NSA officials to be clear of charges of wrongdoing.
"Has Lim lost his moral ascendancy as BAP secretary-general?" asked Trinidad. "That’s not for me to say. All the ‘superbody’ is concerned about is how the national basketball program is being run. If the reality is the BAP has no program to speak of and is running Philippine basketball to the ground, then it’s up to the major stakeholders of the sport to do something about it."
Trinidad said once the action plan is finalized, the "superbody" will submit it to the BAP for adoption. "If the BAP ignores us, then we will go a step further and present our case to the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee) and IOC (International Olympic Committee (IOC). We’re willing to seek arbitration from the FIBA. We’re prepared to go to Geneva and meet the FIBA officials."
Trinidad said he’s aware that the BAP is tight with FIBA president Carl Ching Men Ky of Hong Kong and ABC secretary-general Yeoh Choo Hock. "We shouldn’t be hampered by the perception that the BAP is protected by Mr. Ching or Mr. Yeoh," said Trinidad. "We’re doing what we believe is right for our country. This is not a matter of personalities. We’re ready to go the distance."
If the "superbody" claims it has the support of the sport’s major stakeholders in the country, then it assumes the authority of an NSA on a de facto basis. What is the BAP without the support of major stakeholders? The POC, IOC and FIBA must put the case into perspective. A BAP that is hollow and without a significant base of support is nothing more than a shell of an organization that is insipid, banal and inane.