PBF hopeful of FIBA affiliation

Philippine Basketball Federation (PBF) president Mauricio (Moying) Martelino said yesterday he is optimistic that the newly-recognized National Sports Association (NSA) for hoops will soon be affiliated with the Federation Internationale de Basketball (FIBA) and the ban on the country’s participation in FIBA-sanctioned events will be lifted.

Martelino was accompanied by Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) spokesman Joey Romasanta and POC special assistant to the president Go Teng Kok in submitting the PBF’s application to FIBA president Dr. Carl Men Ky Ching in Hong Kong last Saturday.

FIBA suspended the Philippines last June due to the POC General Assembly’s expulsion of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) as the country’s NSA for basketball. The PBF subsequently applied for POC recognition and became a General Assembly member as the new NSA for the sport.

With the BAP expelled from the POC and the PBF still to receive recognition from FIBA as its new country affiliate, the Philippines was prevented from playing at the Southeast Asian Basketball Association (SEABA) championships in Kuala Lumpur last month.

But after meeting with Ching, Martelino said the way appears clear to bring the Philippines back in good graces with FIBA.

Martelino turned over the PBF’s letter applying for FIBA recognition and documents to Ching affirming the PBF’s recognition by the POC, the BAP’s expulsion by the POC General Assembly and the withdrawal of Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) support to the BAP.

The letter was addressed to FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann, a Swiss lawyer.

Ching said he will confer with Baumann on the PBF’s application when they meet at the World Junior Men’s Championships in Argentina on Wednesday. Ching will be back in Hong Kong on Aug. 23.

"I believe Mr. Ching will help the cause of Philippine basketball and the PBF," said Martelino."Based on my past experiences with Mr. Ching, I know him to do what is best for basketball. The PBF has now complied with the FIBA’s requirements for affiliation."

Romasanta said the meeting was "positive" and he was encouraged by Ching’s warm reception of the Philippine delegation.

"I see no reason why FIBA will continue to suspend the Philippines," said Romasanta. "Our priority is to convince FIBA to lift the suspension immediately. Marketing-wise, the Philippines is an attraction in FIBA events. This will be a major consideration in FIBA’s decision on whether or not to lift our suspension."

Go said the Philippines’ recent showing at the Global Hoops Summit in Las Vegas and the Jones Cup in Taipei is an indication of the national team’s competitiveness in the international arena.

Go came in from the World Athletics Congress in Helsinki and met Martelino and Romasanta in the Hong Kong airport. Ching arrived from Beijing the night before and would’ve flown straight to Argentina if not for the meeting arranged by Go.

Ching pored over the documents submitted by Martelino during the meeting in his office on the 26th floor of the Century Park Building on Hennessey Road in Wanchai, near Causeway Bay, on the Hong Kong side.

Ching welcomed Martelino’s return to basketball after a long absence. Martelino was formerly secretary-general of the Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA-Asia) for seven years, Qatar sports director for five years, BAP secretary-general and Philippine Amateur Basketball League (now Philippine Basketball League or PBL) commissioner.

Ching also mentioned he knew several PBF members in the Board of Trustees, including senior vice president Nic Jorge of the Small Basketeers Philippines, Inc. and vice president for women Pedro Lee of the Bicol Basketball League.

The other members of the PBF Board are vice president for men Chino Trinidad of the PBL, treasurer Fr. Vic Calvo of the NCAA, Fr. Max Rendon of the UAAP, Vicky Chan of the Colleges and Universities Sports Associations (CUSA), Pedro Mendoza of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League, Arnold Rodriguez of the Central Luzon Basketball Association, Fr. Paul de Vera of the NCAA South, Rudy Azcona of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports, Cultural and Educational Association, Elmer Cabahug of the Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation, Pedro Alfaro of the El Federation Basketbolista de Zamboanga and Hubert Paz of the Duterte Basketball League.

Martelino said the PBF features a national scope with representation of the largest leagues and associations in North, Central, Metro Manila, South and the Bicol areas of Luzon, East and West Visayas and East and West Mindanao.

Martelino said the FIBA Board meets every quarter and its next biennial Congress is scheduled next year during the World Championships in Saitama, Japan.

"If the president and secretary-general agree to lift the suspension, it can be done immediately with the decision to be later ratified by the Board," said Martelino.

Ching studied the documents carefully and also read press clippings on the BAP’s expulsion, the PBF’s recognition by the POC General Assembly, the PSC’s withdrawal of support to the BAP and the PBF’s formation.

Ching advised Martelino to send the original letter of application and the pertinent supporting documents to the FIBA central office in Geneva. He also said the Philippines had not paid its FIBA membership dues for two years. Martelino pointed out the PBF will not be delinquent upon taking over from the BAP as the country’s FIBA affiliate.

Martelino said if the Philippines had not paid its FIBA dues the last two years, it would be categorized as a FIBA "associated" member or not in good standing on the third year of delinquency with the penalty of suspension.

Romasanta said he recalls the POC remitting funds to the BAP to settle its FIBA arrears and was surprised to learn the dues had not been paid.