BCAP awaits Barako move

MANILA, Philippines - Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines (BCAP) president Chito Narvasa said yesterday if Barako Bull names Serbian Rajko Toroman the Energy Cola’s head coach without consulting the appropriate groups on the legality of the appointment, the PBA franchise might find itself hauled to court in a messy situation.

“This is a matter of jurisprudence,” said Narvasa. “The ruling of the Court of Appeals on the case of foreigners displacing Filipinos to take head coaching jobs in our basketball leagues is final and executory. We pushed for the ruling when foreigners like Bill Bayno, Paul Woolpert and John Moran became PBA head coaches and even after they left, we pursued the case to prevent a recurrence. But let’s face it. BCAP is the only party that will go to court in forcing the compliance of the ruling. We don’t want to appear adversarial. In fact, we wish to show support for all of basketball, particularly in the development of coaches. If Barako intends to appoint Mr. Toroman, BCAP is willing to listen to what they have in mind.”

Narvasa said BCAP has not been approached by the PBA or Barako on Toroman. He admitted a representative of a PBA franchise owner contacted him for his opinion on Toroman’s expected appointment. 

“My first question is, are there PBA house rules regarding the employment of foreign coaches?” continued Narvasa. “I’m sure BCAP would agree to some kind of house rules where maybe, a foreigner may be employed as a head coach for a maximum of one year with his assistant to succeed him. He could be a consultant with the team after one season. BCAP will agree to a foreigner being named a consultant like Mr. Toroman was with Petron. Whether the foreigner acts as a consultant or head coach is up to the team owner but his actions will be subject to public scrutiny.”

Narvasa said BCAP is not totally against the employment of foreign coaches, particularly in the case of top-caliber mentors like Toroman. “We can learn a lot from coaches like Mr. Toroman,” said Narvasa, referring to the tactician who earned an Olympic ticket for Iran in 2008. “But BCAP only wants to be consistent in protecting Filipinos from being displaced. Also, there is a law that must be upheld. There are ways to employ foreign coaches and we should explore the options. It’s time to unite especially since we are going to host the FIBA-Asia Championships. We in BCAP fully support the SBP in this project. Right now, our membership is around 1,000 coaches all over the country from as far north as Cagayan and south as Sulu.”

Narvasa said if Toroman is contracted by Barako as a consultant, his work permit should reflect his new appointment.  “Mr. Toroman’s work permit with Petron cannot be carried over,” said Narvasa. “He must secure a work permit to formalize his contract with Barako. BCAP will monitor this closely because that’s one of our functions.”

Narvasa said the rule does not cover foreigners who are permanent residents. “If a foreign coach settles here, he will become an exception like Norman Black, Ron Jacobs and Tim Cone,” said Narvasa. “If Mr. Toroman decides to live here permanently, he will not be covered by the rule. BCAP has the authority to make exceptions because after all, we brought the case to the courts in the first place. There’s no other group except BCAP that will bring violators to court.”

On a personal note, Narvasa said he was ready to take over as Ateneo senior men’s basketball team coach until Bo Perasol was appointed. “If there was no one available, I would’ve stepped up for my school,” said Narvasa who coached Shell and Purefoods in the PBA. “It would’ve been a big challenge coming from five straight championship seasons but I’m used to pressure. Now that Bo has been named, we’re all rallying behind him.”