BAP open to reconciliation

Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) secretary-general Graham Lim said the other day the best players should represent the country in international competitions and welcomed the participation of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) in a crusade to regain prominence in Asia.

Lim denied shutting the door on PBA players—-whom he described as the country’s best—-and explained the BAP is open to a working relationship to form a competitive national team for the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) qualifiers for the Olympics and World Championships.

Lim said he will discuss the possibility of reviving the tie-up with representatives of Cebuana Lhuillier, the major sponsor of the national team, and foresaw no difficulty in moving forward.

"We all share in the same dream," said Lim. "We want our best players to represent us in the ABC and Asian Games. We want to play in the Olympics and World Championships again. In the past, the PBA refused to participate in international tournaments except for the Asian Games. But the qualifying competition for the Olympics and World Championships is the ABC tournament, not the Asian Games."

Lim said without the PBA’s support, the BAP laid the foundations last year to rebuild a national team using the same concept as San Miguel Corp. chairman Eduardo Cojuangco whose efforts led to the Philippines regaining the ABC title in 1986. The Tryouts Ng Bayan project is an offshoot of the BAP’s initiative.

Lim said he appreciates PBA commissioner Noli Eala’s vision of adjusting the pro league’s schedule to accommodate international participation in between conferences.

"Iba na ngayon ang PBA," said Lim. "Nakikita natin na may puso sila for the national team. Maybe we can work together to achieve the same goal of putting the Philippines back in contention as an Asian qualifier to the Olympics and World Championships. If we can’t work together, we are prepared to do it on our own."

Lim refused to give credence to the creation of a so-called "superbody" to supplant the BAP as the National Sports Association (NSA) for basketball.

"Isa lang ang ‘superbody’—-ang BAP, kasi recognized kami ng FIBA (International Basketball Federation)," said Lim. "Hindi ko rin matanggap ang sinasabi nila na wala kaming programa sa BAP. Kung wala kaming programa, paano nakakatakbo ang basketball sa bansa natin? Bakit No. 1 sport ang basketball? Bakit mayroon national students championships at kay dami-daming liga all over the country? Kung wala kaming programa, bakit mayroon kaming understanding with the Department of the Interrior and Local Governments? Kung wala kaming programa, bakit tuloy ang sponsorship sa BAP ng FedEx, Burlington at Cebuana Lhuillier?"

Lim also took exception to the claim that "major stakeholders" are assembling the "superbody."

"Hindi nila kinilala ang mga observers na pinadala naming sa last meeting nila," said Lim. "Hindi tama yun. Yung mga nag-meeting, observers din sila. Kasi walang sanction ang PBA Board or UAAP or NCAA. What’s wrong if we sent only observers?"

Lim said the BAP is willing to listen to what the "superbody" has in mind and may even host the next meeting, assuming he clears the air with Cebuana Lhuillier and the PBA.

Lim brushed aside complaints of his status as a Filipino passport holder and said the problems in basketball should not involve personal issues. He has been charged for misrepresentation as a Filipino citizen. Cases were filed against Lim by detractors at the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of Justice.

Lim said his cases are being attended to by lawyers Boni Alentajan and Johnny Marfil.

Lim said it’s unfair to blame the BAP for the country’s dismal 15th place finish in the ABC tournament last year. He claimed the lowly showing could’ve been averted if only the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and the UAAP allowed their players to suit up. But Lim admitted even with the reinforcements, the team wouldn’t have qualified for the semifinals.

PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad said if only the BAP coordinated schedules with the sport’s major stakeholders, the conflict could’ve been avoided. He stressed that an objective of forming the "superbody" is to get the stakeholders on the same page.

Lim said once he clarifies issues with Cebuana Lhuillier, he hopes to confer with Eala on pursuing their common dream to bring the Philippines back to prominence in Asia.

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, it‚s possible that three slots for Asia may be opened in the 12-nation basketball tournament. There may be four slots for Asia at the 2006 World Championships in Saitama, Japan. But for the Philippines to play in either competition, it must qualify by finishing in the top three at the ABC tournament in 2005 and 2007.