Peping hasn’t lost hope on SEAG caging

Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. maintained that basketball could still be staged in the coming SEA Games with the Philippine Basketball Federation being recognized by the International Basketball Federation soon.

Cojuangco said he may tap some quarters involved with the FIBA to get the nod of secretary-general Patrick Bauhmann for recognition of the PBF as the country affiliate replacing the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

The POC president said he’s in touch with Fiba president Carl Ching Menky and may seek assistance with officials of influential federations like the United States and Australia.

"I will exhaust all efforts to get basketball played in the SEA Games without allowing the POC to lose face," said Cojuangco.

"I’m still hopeful the international federation will not just allow something like this to happen," he added.

Cojuangco said the Fiba president assured him of support in all the things he has done so far. "Before I made any decision, I consulted him. I don’t normally do things like this but I asked Carl Ching if this is right, and he said ‘yes I will support you,’" said Cojuangco.

"We are making moves. I am still trying to reach Bauhmann. I’m just waiting for replies and see what steps to be taken. I’ve been in touch with some of my friends in Australia with their federation because I heard the next president of the Fiba would be an Australian," Cojuangco added.