Courting disaster

Despite SBP executive director Noli Eala’s offer to break bread with BAP diehards in the spirit of reconciliation, it looks like unity is far from being a plausible reality in the near future. In fact, it is becoming more and more like an elusive, if not impossible, dream.

The stubborn BAP faction in the country’s expansive basketball firmament refuses to read the writing on the wall and continues to oppose the winds of change, trying to hang on to whatever vestige of authority is left after a wide-scale purge supported by the POC and later affirmed by no less than FIBA.

With hardly a leg to stand on, the BAP did something that is frowned on by the IOC to which FIBA is affiliated. The BAP went to court and sought to nullify the results of the recent SBP elections where Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno was voted chairman and PLDT head Manny Pangilinan president.

Last Sept. 3, the BAP got what it wanted. Manila regional trial court branch 24 judge Antonio Eugenio ruled in the BAP’s favor and ordered the elected SBP officers to “cease and desist” from exercising their functions and to turn over the affairs of the organization to the BAP leadership.

In his 21-page decision, Eugenio said he wasn’t impressed that the SBP elections were sanctioned by the POC and recognized by FIBA.

Apparently, the decision had no appreciation of the efforts made by the SBP to accredit only legitimate leagues and associations as voters in the polls. There was also no seeming appreciation of the communiqué signed by the SBP and the BAP, with FIBA officials as witnesses, to lay the groundwork for a unified governing body that is representative of the sport’s genuine stakeholders.                                                                  

* * * *

The decision has created widespread confusion within the basketball community, stalling the process of rebuilding a national program of development initiated by the SBP.

Old-style politicians thrive in a muddled situation because issues are clouded by squid tactics. It appears that old-style politicians are behind this mess.

Because of this problem, the Cebu Schools Association Foundation (CESAFI) and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) now seem to be reevaluating their position as to which group to side with. They’re adopting a wait-and-see attitude in view of Eugenio’s decision.

PBA commissioner Sonny Barrios said the other day he is holding back on his announcement to name the national coach of the pro team that will represent the country in the next FIBA-Asia Championships because of the court order. The PBA’s commitment to play in the FIBA-Asia Championships was made to the SBP, not the BAP.

But yesterday, SBP lawyers obtained a 60-day temporary restraining order preventing Eugenio from executing his order. The SBP is hoping the month-long reprieve will clear the air and re-establish its position of authority as confirmed by the POC and FIBA. The period could also be the time to knock some sense into wayward minds.

* * * *

Whenever courts intervene in an issue of dispute involving sports, it’s never good news. Can you imagine the chaos if a losing boxer goes to court and tries to reverse a decision on the basis of the judges’ alleged incompetence? There are avenues of arbitration available within the sports hierarchy to resolve issues of conflict. Bringing in government or the church or some other third party to settle a dispute in sports just isn’t sporting.

Unfortunately, Eugenio’s decision – if ultimately, upheld – will have serious repercussions on Philippine basketball. For one, it could trigger another suspension by FIBA and retard the growth process painstakingly being worked out by the SBP. For another, it will mean another long wait before the Philippines can regroup to be competitive at the Asian level.

The SBP isn’t a sham organization. Its leaders are men of purpose, not carpetbaggers with hidden agendas. What a disaster if these men of consequence become disenchanted by all the intrigue, confusion and back-stabbing and in exasperation, leave the fate of the country’s basketball existence in the hands of highwaymen.

For what it’s worth, the BAP stands for something and should be part of the SBP as an affiliate association. But the BAP’s brazen attempt to take control of the SBP through the courts is a flagrant foul that carries a penalty of ejection.