Cage body to launch website

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will establish an informative, interactive and meaningful website as it enters the world of cyberspace.

In time for four major international tournaments in the next four months, the SBP is launching its own website, with help from the same group responsible for the live stats in the FIBA website.

“We wanted a website that’s something meaningful and interactive dahil alam naman natin na number one ang basketball sa Pilipinas,” said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios, who talked about the latest SBP project in the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum Tuesday at Shakey’s Malate together Nick Maywald Sporting Pulse, PBA head of statistician Fidel Mangonon III, and SBP legal counsel Aga Francisco.

Barrios said the new SBP website comes at a perfect time especially with Gilas Pilipinas campaigning in the FIBA-World Cup in Spain this August.

Prior to that, the national team will also be competing in the FIBA-Asia Cup in Wuhan, China from July 11-19. Then there’s the Asia Pacific 3-on-3, the Youth Olympic Games, and the FIBA-Asia U18 Championship.

“Target ng SBP na lahat ng liga sa basketball ay masama sa website,” said Barrios, the former PBA commissioner, in the session presented by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, Accel, and Shakey’s.

Maywald for his part, said the Philippines has long been under the radar of Sporting Pulse the past few years, saying, “I’ve never been to a country that has been passionate for the sport of basketball.”

Among the possible entry in the SBP website is the expected naturalization of NBA player Andray Blatche, who will reinforce Gilas Pilipinas in both the FIBA-World Cup and Asian Games.

Barrios said the entire SBP and Gilas Pilipinas are confident President Aquino would sign the naturalization papers of the 6-foot-11 big man of the Brooklyn Nets after the Senate approved the bill introduced by Senator Juan Edgardo `Sonny’ Angara on third and final reading last week.

“The President is aware of the urgency. We’re optimistic that he will act on it sooner or later,” said the SBP executive.

“We’re always in touch with his office. Things will work out fine.”