DOJ clears Pennisi return

The Department of Justice last night cleared Mike Pennisi to play again for Red Bull in the PBA although he will remain out of the team’s roster when the Barakos play the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings tonight in the San Mig Coffee PBA Fiesta Cup pending completion of the new documents required by the league.

Acting on the Court of Appeals decision upholding Pennisi’s Filipino citizenship and citing humanitarian reasons, the justice department did not interpose any objection to the CA ruling and allowed the Red Bull center-forward to play again in the pro league.

In a letter signed by DOJ Secretary Raul Gonzalez to PBA commissioner Noli Eala dated Oct. 13, the justice department found merit on Pennisi’s request last Oct. 4 that he be allowed to play again in the PBA based on the CA decision maintaining the cager’s Filipino citizenship.

"This refers to the attached letter of Mr.Pennisi requesting that he be allowed to play with the Red Bull team in the PBA in line with the decision of the CA promulgated last Sept. 30 upholding his Filipino citizenship without prejudice to whatever legal action/appeal that this Office and the Office of the Solicitor General may take on the said decision," the DOJ letter said.

Pennisi, a member of the RP team in the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, also averred that he has no other means of livelihood except as a pro basketball player.

The PBA, however, said what it received was an unsigned letter from the DOJ secretary although it maintained that Pennisi will still have to complete the new documents required by the league to be able to play again.

This development came three days after Rudy Hatfield was also cleared to suit up for Coca-Cola again after Malacañang reversed an earlier DOJ ruling ordering the revocation of the Certificates of Recognition of a number of Fil-foreign players, including Hatfield and Pennisi. Through a court ruling, Asi Taulava of Talk n Text also gained a clearance to play again in the PBA.

That leaves Eric Menk of Barangay Ginebra as the only Fil-foreign player who has yet to be cleared by either Malacañang or the DOJ.

Meanwhile, Sean Lampley is expected to come out all fired-up tonight against his former team as Barangay Ginebra and Red Bull Barako clash at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Lampley helped the Barakos win the 2002 Commissioner’s Cup championship but was never given another tour of duty with the team since then.

"I don’t know if I should feel guilty or whatever when I see him today," said Red Bull coach Yeng Guiao although adding they considered Lampley to be their import in the tourney.

"He was among those we considered but I really don’t know what happened because (team consultant) Andy Jao is the one in charge in negotiation with our imports," Guiao said.

The Red Bull coach however, maintained they’re happy with their current import Quemont Greer, whom he thinks is the best import in town at the moment.

"Who can question his 37-point showing followed by a 40-point game?" said Guiao on Greer’s explosive first two games in the local pro league.

Greer, a product of De Paul University, punctuated his 40-point performance the last time out with a monster jam in the closing seconds as Red Bull nosed out Alaska Milk, 76-75, to break into the win-column Sunday. — Dante Navarro