MVP stirs up Olympic dream

Telecommunications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan was given a fresh mandate as president of the BAP-SBP and immediately set his sights on a dream goal of spearheading the country’s bid for a return stint to the Olympics.

In its national convention and elections which went smoothly at Dusit Hotel in Makati yesterday, Pangilinan embarked on what he described as an “overarching goal” – a stint by the Philippines in the London Olympics in 2012.

The Philippine Olympic Committee, led by POC president Jose Cojuangco and vice president Monico Puentevella, came in full force to observe the exercise then reassured the body of its recognition as the national federation for basketball.

(Related story on Page 23)

Pangilinan, meanwhile, said he won’t stop extending a reconciliatory hand to the BAP faction, which had earlier sought to stop the proceeding with a TRO (Temporary Restraining Order).

“We have already written our constitution and by-laws. We have already reviewed, verified and validated our members. We have our first real national congress with a new board elected. It is time to end the bickering. It is time to move on,” said Pangilinan.

Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno, a trustee from the geographical sector elected as board chairman, echoed Pangilinan’s appeal.

“Let’s move forward, let’s not engage in finger-pointing, let’s not engage in blaming each other, let’s not engage in debate. Let our actions argue for us. Let the result of Philippine basketball be the judge,” Moreno said.

With the issue of TRO deemed moot and academic following a court order setting the hearing today, the group started the meeting promptly at 11 a.m., making the confirmation of the nominees to the 25-man board of trustees.

BAP officials Christian Tan and Atty. Bonifacio Alentajan filed the injunction at the Manila Regional Trial Court Wednesday, seeking a TRO to stop the SBP from holding the convention. Another BAP official Graham Lim reportedly sought the same but was denied by the Makati Regional Trial Court.

“The Manila court summoned the two parties to a hearing tomorrow (today). But since we have convened and held an election, it’s moot and academic. We’ll just make a motion to dismiss the appeal,” said SBP corporate secretary Atty. Marivic Anonuevo.

The group also amended the name of the cage body from BAP-SBP to BAP-SBP, Inc.

Other elected officials were Ricky Vargas as vice chairman and Dr. Jay Adalem treasurer. Liga Pilipinas founder Noli Eala was appointed executive director, taking over from Patrick Gregorio.

Ely Capacio retained the nominations and membership committee post. Others nominated as committee chairs were Adalem (finance) and Dr. Cecilio Pedro (audit and ethics).

Completing the board were Tony Chua and Sonny Barrios from the pro sector, Mikee Romero and Pedro Alfaro from the commercial sector, Nic Jorge and Vivian Manila from special sector, Junjun Capistrano, Ding Lozano, Jerry Sabal and Atty. Baldomero Estenso from school leagues and, Rey Gamboa, Tac Padilla, Danny Soria, James Malaya, Fr. Paul de Vera, Raul Alcoseba, Robert Uy, Bernie Atienza and Dr. Ferdinand Padilla from the geographical sectors.

The trustees come from leagues and associations which passed as regular members in the accreditation and screening process undertaken by the nomination committee.

Pangilinan said accreditation process will be done every year so as to give associate members a chance to gain active membership status.

“This has been agreed upon from the start and it’s enshrined in the constitution. The whole point is that an active member must be true to their stature,” said Pangilinan.

Elected in the body’s first regular election after serving as president during the transition period, Pangilinan stressed he doesn’t intend to stay long in the association, saying “I just want to see Philippine basketball on the right track, doing the right thing.”