Conflict in ‘Unity Congress’

The much-awaited Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) "unity congress" is scheduled this Saturday but the outlook is bleak that the proceedings will be smooth and peaceful.

Instead of promoting unity, the congress — if it even comes off the wraps — might just intensify the war between the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) and the reform-oriented groups that make up Pilipinas Basketball (PB) which happens to be blessed by conditional recognition from the Philippine Olympic Committee as a National Sports Association (NSA).

Since agreeing to a monumental joint communiqué in Tokyo during the recent FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball) World Championships, the BAP and PB appear to be drifting apart.

FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann is probably now convinced more than ever before that there will be no end to the Philippine squabble unless certain elements opposed to the unification process are eliminated from the equation.

In Tokyo, the Filipino delegates promised FIBA to put the country’s cage house in order by Sept. 30. That deadline, by the way, was self-imposed and FIBA had nothing to do with it. Under the terms of the joint communiqué, the unity congress will have been held by then.

As it turned out, no congress was convened on or before Sept. 30. The deadline was pushed to Oct. 10, later to Oct. 21 and now, Nov. 11.

The cracks in the wall began to appear when Joey Lina, one of the members of the three-man panel tasked to set the stage for the unification, resigned as BAP president before the second deadline of Oct. 10. Lina said he also quit from the three-man panel but that was never verified particularly as the other members, Philippine Long Distance Tel. Co. chairman Manny Pangilinan and PB president Bernie Atienza, said nothing written was ever submitted to effect the resignation.

Lina’s withdrawal as BAP president cleared the way for Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to assume the vacant position.

Apparently, certain BAP officials — fearful of losing their positions of influence with the SBP’s emergence — convinced Estrada to take over and keep them in circulation.

The other day, Estrada was quoted as saying he will insist on becoming SBP president because as far as the BAP is concerned, "they need us more than we need them." He also denied reports of a compromise where he will sit as SBP chairman and Pangilinan as SBP president.

The speculation is Estrada was again persuaded by conspiring BAP officials to reject the chairmanship because it’s supposed to be a ministerial position. Estrada hinted that as SBP president, he wants to call the shots.

But before the debate lingers, there are critical questions that beg to be answered.

How can Estrada be even considered for the SBP chairmanship or presidency when he is not a member of the interim 25-man Board of Trustees? BAP secretary-general Graham Lim reportedly said he is resigning his place in the Board to give way to Estrada but can he do that arbitrarily?

Is Estrada now considered a member of the three-man panel?

Shouldn’t FIBA be apprised of Estrada’s midstream appearance since after all, it had agreed with specific individuals — excluding the Senator — to the terms of the joint communiqué preparatory to the lifting of the country’s suspension upon compliance?

Why is Estrada drawing the line between the BAP and "others?" Isn’t it a fact that with the SBP’s emergence, the BAP and PB are to be considered things of the past?

If Estrada insists on lording it over the SBP as president, will it drive away non-political patriots — whose selfless interest is only love for the game — from involving themselves in the emerging organization? Is that the BAP’s ultimate intention?

Shouldn’t Estrada and the BAP adhere to the terms of the joint communiqué? Shouldn’t a neutral or independent third party head the SBP and not anyone from the BAP or PB?

Shouldn’t reform be on everyone’s agenda, not dividing the spoils?

Will the "unity congress" take place this Saturday or will it be postponed again? And if it does push through, will there be unity in the congress? Or will there be conflict?

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Tomorrow, we’ll ask Question No. 2 in our NBA "It’s Game Time" contest where the NBA is giving away 60 official NBA T-shirts and five Spalding microfiber composite official NBA balls to lucky winners.

You get three chances to win the NBA "It’s Game Time" T-shirts and gameballs.

For three straight Thursdays (starting last Nov. 2), we’ll ask a question each week. Just write your answer on a sheet of paper with your name, age, telephone number, occupation (if student, your school, grade or year/course), address and signature. Place the paper in an envelope marked No. 1 (if you’re answering the first Thursday question) or No. 2 (for the second Thursday question) or No. 3 (for the third Thursday question) and address to the Philippine Star Sports, NBA "It’s Game Time," R. Oca Jr. and Railroad Streets, Port Area, Manila.

We’ll pick 20 T-shirt winners for each Thursday. The five Spalding balls will be awarded to one winner for Question No. 1, one winner for Question No. 2 and three winners for Question No. 3.

Question No. 1 is — What is Kobe Bryant’s new uniform number? Your entries for Question No. 1 will be accepted only up to tomorrow.

Your chance of winning will be enhanced if you add, in your entries, your choices for the next 10 stars to join the 50 Greatest NBA players roster and if possible, why. Among the candidates are Joe Dumars, Dominique Wilkins, Bob Love, Bob McAdoo, Bob Lanier, Bobby Jones, Gus Johnson, Richie Guerin, Artis Gilmore, Alex English, Calvin Murphy, Walt Bellamy, Connie Hawkins and Cliff Hagan.

You won’t regret joining the contest because if you win, you’ll own a rare commemorative NBA T-shirt (not available locally in the market) or you’ll get to take home the new official NBA gameball. Send in your entries now.