Official questions Estrada ouster

There was another Basketball Association of the Philippines official, aside from Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who graced the press conference yesterday announcing plans of the special panel to pursue unification of Philippine basketball.

Dr. Jay Adalem of NAASCU made known his support to efforts to form a unified basketball body that could pave the way for the return of the country in international play.

"It’s really only the group of Graham Lim which is making the decision at the BAP," said Adalem, an appointed BAP commissioner in Caloocan area.

Adalem, president of NAASCU which has 10 member schools including their own St. Clare College in Caloocan, was not aware of the BAP meeting where the BAP executive board made the decision to declare the position of its president vacant.

"Graham just texted me that they’ve made the move," said Adalem, showing the text message to The STAR.

"Bahala na sila ( It’s up to them). In the first place, we don’t exist just because of the BAP. We have other events in our calendar and we have our own principles," Adalem added.

"I supported our move to make Sen. Estrada our president (to replace former Sen. Joey Lina) but I’m not supporting BAP’s new move," Adalem added.

Meanwhile, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas legal counsel Atty. Marivic Anonuevo expressed doubt on the legality of BAP’s move ousting Estrada as president.

"My understanding is that Sen. Estrada was voted by acclamation. Legally, it will take them the same procedure to oust him," said Anonuevo.

"I don’t know if they have a house rule. But to my mind, there’s a room of doubt if it was legally enforced," Anonuevo added.

Estrada, however, hardly sounded having inclination to fight for the BAP presidency.

The former San Juan mayor stressed he’s only out for the good of Philippine basketball, hoping to see the country playing again in international meets in the near future.

Estrada also said he is aware that the root of the basketball problem was the BAP secretary general.