PSC suspends financial assistance to erring BAP

While it can still hold office at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the Basketball Association of the Philippines, at least for the meantime, cannot draw any financial assistance from the Philippine Sports Commission.

Atty. Guillermo Iroy, executive director of the PSC, yesterday said the government sports agency is "holding in abeyance" any financial assistance which it normally gives to the BAP.

"For the meantime, it is being held in abeyance," said Iroy who, however, said the BAP can continue to hold office at the second floor of the PSC administrative building along Vito Cruz.

The PSC, a government agency, provides financial assistance to all national sports associations (NSAs) recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee and their respective IFs (international federations). Most of the NSAs also hold office at the PSC building.

Now the PSC is being caught in the middle of the BAP and the POC which has recently ordered an indefinite suspension of the erring basketball body. The POC said the BAP, under the suspension, should be stripped of all privileges accorded a regular member.

The POC, through its president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, recently wrote the PSC informing the latter of its decision to suspend the BAP and subsequently the "suspension of privileges granted to BAP."

The PSC, however, yesterday gave BAP officials led by president Tiny Literal and secretary-general Graham Lim 24 hours to "comment on the matter." Failure to do so, the PSC said in its letter, "will be a waiver on your part."

Lim called Iroy upon receipt of the PSC letter and asked the PSC official why the BAP is being given only 24 hours to respond.

"I told him that’s what the PSC board decided during a meeting. Well at least, he called meaning he has received the letter," said Iroy.

The POC suspended the BAP for its failure to honor a previous commitment it made with the country’s major stake-holders in basketball (like the PBA, PBL, UAAP and NCAA) regarding the formation of the RP team to the SEABA Championship in Singapore next month and the Philippine SEA Games in November.

After suspending the BAP, the POC formed a "caretaker" body that will look after the affairs of the BAP, particularly its preparations for the two international competitions, including the SEA Games where the Philippines is the perennial champion.

Aside from the PSC, the different NSAs also receive financial assistance from the First Gentleman (Mike Arroyo) Foundation as far as the SEA Games buildup is concerned.

In announcing the BAP suspension, Cojuangco also said he will coordinate with the FG Foundation regarding the "suspension" of any financial assistance to the BAP. San Miguel Corp. has agreed to act as godfather of the men’s and women’s basketball teams to the SEA Games.

Cojuangco yesterday said he is hoping that the FIBA World and FIBA Asia (the governing body in basketball) "would recognize national interest" when they address the brewing issue.

"The POC did not ask the FIBA to withdraw its recognition of the BAP but to recognize the teams that will be fielded by the working (caretaker) committee while the BAP is serving suspension and enable the Philippines to comply with its international commitments," said a POC letter to FIBA.

"We did everything by the book and BAP enjoyed due process. The POC expects no less from the international federations," added Cojuangco in the letter he signed eight days after meeting FIBA World president Carl Menky Ching in Hong Kong.