New cage body an option — FIBA chief

From suspension to expulsion.

This predicament surfaced before the Basketball Association of the Philippines yesterday after the president of FIBA-Asia said the Philippine Olympic Committee might as well consider forming a new basketball association in the country.

Sheikh Saud Bin Ali Al-Thani of Qatar, here to grace the ongoing FIBA Champions’ Cup, hinted that the POC dropping the BAP from its official roster and forming a new group could put an end to the brewing controversy.

"No comment kami," BAP secretary-general Graham Lim told The STAR in a text message.

The POC General Assembly decided last May 25 to indefinitely suspend the BAP mainly for its failure to honor its commitment on the formation of the RP men’s team to this year’s SEABA Championship and the SEA Games.

The POC created a "caretaker committee" led by POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco as chairman and coach Chot Reyes as training director. While the BAP is suspended, the committee will run the affairs of local basketball.

"We respect the decision made by the POC and we must not interfere," said Sheikh Saud.

In a breakfast meeting with Cojuangco yesterday, Sheikh Saud noted that in the Qatari Olympic Association of which he is the former secretary-general, "suspensions are not necessary," adding that "we cancel the federation and form a new one."

Sheikh Saud added that FIBA-Asia could not deal with an ad hoc committee, in this case the one headed by Cojuangco.

"We do not deal with names. We deal with countries," said Sheikh Saud, who, however, stressed that a new basketball association, if it is to be formed, should represent the will of Filipino stake-holders in the sport.

Sheikh Saud said FIBA-Asia is willing to send a representative to the Philippines to observe the conduct of the creation of a new basketball body. He said FIBA-Asia will respect the action as long as it is done within the laws governing the POC.

"But each country has its own rules," he added.

"The POC fully understands the position of the international federation and we will abide by the restrictions while considering short and long term options that will allow us to fulfill our international commitments," said Cojuangco.

To expel the BAP from the POC roster, a three-fourths vote or 30 of the 39 members is needed. To suspend the BAP, all that was needed was a two-thirds vote or 26 of 39. No objection was made by any member when the BAP suspension was raised last week.