BAP blasts PBF’s ‘lies’ on unpaid FIBA fees

Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) president Joey Lina denied any standing obligation with FIBA, which continues to acknowledge BAP’s full privilege as a recognized affiliate following a receipt of confirmation from FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann.

Lina, refuting accusations hurled by PBF president Moying Martelino, said the BAP even paid in advance its membership dues until 2006. The last payment was coursed through RCBC via a telegraphic transfer of US$ 2,460 to Union Bank of Switzerland in Lausanne last July 6, 2005.

"But that’s not the real issue here.  Even without the confirmation, FIBA continues to recognize the BAP and the POC was told to resolve the problem for FIBA to lift the suspension on the Philippines," explained Lina.

"The ball is actually on POC’s hand, and we should not be blamed if basketball would not be included in the SEA Games. The Filipino people should know that we have made efforts with the Philippine Olympic Committee to reverse the decision on BAP’s expulsion but they’ve already closed all doors on us."

"I just can’t see the logic why they’re still pinpointing us as the main culprit behind the basketball crisis when they (POC) have already disempowered us through expulsion.  They really want to make us look bad to the public by giving us all the blame for the circumstances of their actions," Lina added.

The BAP president is looking at possibilities of legal actions against Martelino for his malicious statements.  However, Lina is still not giving up on the possibility of talks with POC president Peping Cojuangco.

"This should be a time for unity, to avert such a disaster in hosting the SEA Games late this year.  We’re also very alarmed that basketball will not be included in the SEA Games.  We’ve been the undefeated champion for years and we don’t want the country to lose the cage crown just by the shame of conflict within our country and not through real basketball game against our Southeast Asian neighbors," said Lina.

"As far as we’re concerned, we’re still not giving up on the reversal of POC’s expulsion decision and the basketball loving Filipinos should also entice the POC to resolve the issue to keep the country’s long standing pride in the Sotheast Asian Games," he added.

Lina showed the fax confirmation from Baumann which reads "We acknowledge with thanks receipt of your payment for USD 2,460.  We are pleased to confirm that your Federation is now re-affiliated to FIBA with full rights, a.o. the right to participate in international FIBA competitions and vote at the world congress.  We would like to express our appreciation of the efforts made by your federation in this respect and wish you the best of success for your future basketball activities."

"This confirmation says it all.  It seemed that Mr. Martelino and Go Teng Kok wasn’t in touch with Carl Ching Menky and should not have used his name to manipulate this misinformation in their desperate attempts to discredit BAP’s strong ties with FIBA," said Lina.