POC keeping an eye on RP caging

The Philippine Olympic Committee is outside looking in at the latest development concerning Philippine basketball.

"The POC is keenly observing the development as far as the SBP’s (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas) formation is concerned," POC spokesman Joey Romasanta said yesterday.

"But that’s all we can do. We can only watch with serious interest because SBP is not yet a member of the POC. And even if it is, they have autonomy over the POC," he added.

The men behind the formation of the SBP, more than a hundred of them, held a press conference the other day at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. It was a big show of force and unity.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, the erstwhile president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines, was the star of the day as he pledged his full support in the formation of a new basketball association, the SBP.

Businessman Manny V. Pangilinan was also there along with newly installed Pilipinas Basketball head Jose Capistrano. MVP will soon assume the role of SBP president, and Estrada chairman.

With or without the BAP, those present in Monday’s press conference, vowed to continue their efforts aimed at solving the current basketball crisis, beginning with the SBP’s formation.

But the BAP hardliners are not about ready to roll over and die.

In fact, they are reportedly looking for someone to take the place of Estrada, whom they installed as their head only last October following the resignation of Joey Lina, a former senator himself.

Athletics chief Go Teng Kok is said to be the BAP’s top choice, but the controversial sports figure, who recently resigned as special assistant to POC president Jose Cojuangco, said no.

At least for the meantime.

"It’s not in my agenda right now. Although the position as BAP president has been offered to me a number of times, the most recent was when Senator Estrada was removed," said Go.