SBP officials off to Geneva for FIBA meet

Major personalities working to unify Philippine basketball are leaving for Geneva, Switzerland today to meet with International Basketball Federation (FIBA) president Bob Elphinston and secretary-general Patrick Baumann.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, PBA board chair Ricky Vargas and PBA commissioner Noli Eala will meet the FIBA officials Friday and Sunday, updating them on the efforts being done to unify the sport in accordance with the Tokyo communiqué.

"This is part of the communiqué. It’s important to follow the communiqué. We’ll be updating the FIBA officials on the progress of the unification effort," said Vargas, nominated vice-chairman of the proposed unified body called Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

Estrada and Pangilinan are tapped as chairman and president, respectively, of the SBP. Eala will be joining them in Geneva being a witness to the Tokyo accord.

"We think it’s also good for the FIBA people to get to know Mr. Pangilinan and Sen. Jinggoy Estrada. It’s good for them to know the persons behind the SBP," Vargas added.

Vargas said the FIBA officials agreeing to meet them in the FIBA headquarters augured well for the cause of the SBP. The meeting will be held two weeks before the unity congress on Feb. 5 in Dusit Hotel.

"We’re thankful the FIBA officials agreed to meet us. We know everybody’s busy," said Vargas. "We’re hoping for the best whatever comes out of it."

At the same time, Vargas said they’re elated former BAP spokesman and driector Fritz Gaston has quit the cage body to join the unification effort.

"We’re elated he finally showed support to unify the sport. We’re hoping the others take the same stand," said Vargas.

There were words BAP chairman Michel Lhuillier and BAP-Visayas official Yayoy Alcoseba would also join the SBP bandwagon. — Nelson Beltran