Eala maintains SBP product of Tokyo accord

PBA commissioner Noli Eala expressed confidence the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) would see the difference between Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and those of Pilipinas Basketball and the Philippine Basketball Federation Inc., and this could convince the world cage body to finally lift its suspension of the Philippines.

"There’s a big difference between SBP and PB and PBFI. The FIBA didn’t appreciate PB and PBFI which they deemed as creation of the POC (Philippine Olympic Committee). SBP is definitely not a creation of the POC but the Fiba in accordance with the joint communique made in Tokyo," Eala said.

"There’s some wedge between National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and International Federations (IFs). Each one doesn’t want interference in the other’s affairs. I’m optimistic the FIBA would see the purest of intentions in the creation of SBP ," Eala added.

SBP is now looking to hold a national unity congress to affirm nomination of the interim board led by chairman Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and president Manny V. Pangilinan. Afterwards, the group will formally apply for membership in the POC then seeks recognition from the Fiba.

Eala is optimistic SBP would be accredited as the new country affiliate to the world body even without the participation of the leaders of the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

The joint accord calls for the merger of BAP and PB, and Eala said this could still be done even minus Graham Lim and other BAP officials. "BAP may be distinguished in two parts — its leadership and the membership. All stakeholders in Philippine basketball are invited to the unity congress. BAP’s members, if qualified, are invited," said Eala. "That gives me the confidence the Fiba will recognize SBP."

The pro league commissioner bared several members of the BAP have expressed support to the SBP and are only waiting for the appropriate time to come out.

"They don’t want to come out in the open now. They want it to be well-planned," said Eala.

NAASCU president Dr. Jay Adalem, the BAP commissioner in Caloocan area, has come out in the open, supporting the unity effort initiated by Estrada and Pangilinan.

The NAASCU, with 10 member schools in its fold, is to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss its inevitable defection to SBP. Apparently, AMACC is the only NAASCU member remaining with BAP.

SBP has started reaching out to other cage associations affiliated with the BAP.

"I don’t believe they are loyal to Graham Lim. My feeling is that these groups have just no one to turn to," said Eala.

"If they are qualified and if they have the number, they can even run in the SBP election of officers. That’s fine with us. We just have to go through the process," Eala also said.