Cojuangco, Lina to set crucial meet

The formation of a new basketball association in the country will be the main course when Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco and Basketball Association of the Philippines president Joey Lina meet in the next few days.

Cojuangco yesterday said he is just waiting for the arrival of POC chairman Robert Aventajado from abroad before he meets with Lina and the representatives of the other basketball stakeholders in the country.

Cojuangco and Aventajado were in Geneva, Switzerland last week. They met with FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann regarding the lifting of the International Basketball Federation’s suspension it slapped on the Philippines last July.

Cojuangco came home from Switzerland carrying a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with FIBA in which the POC was given the lead in the formation of a new basketball group acceptable and welcome to everyone.

Although Lina had earlier sought a clarification on the latest FIBA ruling, the BAP chief stressed that he is ready to meet with the other cage leaders and has, in fact, already sent feelers to the other stakeholders for a meeting many hope will once and for all end the dilemma facing RP basketball.

"Even while we are seeking clarification from FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann regarding the MoU that he signed with the POC, we are ready and willing to sit down with other Philippine basketball stakeholders who are non-members of the BAP to end once and for all the problem facing basketball in the country," said Lina in a press statement.

"We have always called for a dialogue. We’ve always been open to anything that can help solve our domestic problems. Whether it’s with the POC or FIBA, we’re open. "As long as we can arrive at an amicable settlement," he added.

Eventually, this would lead to the lifting of the FIBA suspension and the holding of basketball competitions in the SEA Games scheduled here in the country on Nov. 27 to Dec. 5. The Philippines will try to defend the men’s title.

The stakeholders to be present in the meeting are those from the Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, National Colleges Athletic Association and Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, PBA commissioner Noli Eala said the pro league will support the formation of a new cage body in the country but to be a part of it is another matter.

"We have to know the scope of the organization. What would be its operation? Very crucial is the meat of the agreement. We have to know that before the PBA board (of governors) discusses it," said Eala. "We’ll definitely support the formation of a new organization. But whether we would be part of it is another matter we have to discuss first."

But based on the board’s previous discussions, Eala doubts if they would join the organization.

"On previous talks, the board always went back to history. The reason why the PBA was formed was that team owners felt they were abused ( by cage authorities on the formation of national teams). And we don’t want to get back to the same situation 31 years later," said Eala.

Apparently, PBA officials wanted the league to be independent that’s why they didn’t join the Philippine Basketball Federation.

PBF president Moying Martelino has said they’re willing to dissolve the association to give way for the formation of a new body.

Martelino said he has talked to members of the PBF and they are all amenable to the idea of forming a new group, especially if it’s the only alternative left to enable the Philippines to save basketball in the SEA Games. — With report from Nelson Beltran