Cojuangco, Lina try to end cage rift

First posted 11:11pm (Mla time) Oct 04, 2005
By Musong R. Castillo
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on Page A23 of the October 5, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


PHILIPPINE Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and Basketball Association of the Philippines head Joey Lina will meet at a still undisclosed place tonight in an apparent bid to put an end to the basketball controversy hounding the country.

If things go well, a source close to Cojuangco said the two are also expected to map out a plan to have the Philippines reinstated as an active member of the international basketball federation (FIBA).

The Inquirer learned of a phone call that Lina made to Cojuangco yesterday morning, and the source confirmed that the two are scheduled to meet later this evening.

This marks the first time since the basketball dispute erupted in April that the leaders of the two warring groups will meet face-to-face to discuss a possible deal and to try to salvage the staging of the basketball competitions in the coming Southeast Asian Games.

The two officials could not be reached for comment last night, although statement to media offices saying the BAP is open to a dialogue "so we can immediately solve the present dilemma and unite the basketball stakeholders, once and for all."
Lina is a pivotal figure in the lifting of the FIBA ban on the Philippines after the world governing body of basketball specifically named him as one of at least five stakeholders required to be part of a new unified basketball group that will be formed.

The FIBA, in a memorandum of agreement signed with the POC last week, ordered the formation of the new federation that, among others, should include five major stakeholders: the Philippine Basketball Association, the Philippine Basketball League, University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Lina.

Key officials from four of the stakeholders said they are amenable to the formation of the new group which, if formed, will lead to the lifting of the FIBA suspension -- with Lina the only one hedging.

"I will seek a clarification with [FIBA secretary general Patrick] Baumann first," an Inquirer report quoted Lina as saying last Saturday.

Told of Lina's plans to seek a clarification from the FIBA, Cojuangco also told the Inquirer last Sunday that the BAP will only have itself to blame if it delays the formation of the new group.

"If they delay this, it's their fault," Cojuangco stressed. "Huwag na silang magtuturo sa POC na kami ang may kasalanan (They shouldn't blame on us). It's in their hands now."

Besides, Cojuangco said, Baumann had warned him after they signed the MOA that "this is not a temporary solution so that [this issue] should [no longer] come back to us."

Cojuangco, in the meantime, will present POC chair Robert Aventajado and legal counsel Ding Tanjuatco to the media at 11 a.m. today so the two can provide further details on their meeting with Baumann in Switzerland.

Good development for RP Basketball!

Chot Reyes’ RP basketball program went for naught because of these sportsbodies’ warring factions. The BAP should give way to the new group because their basketball program produces only embarassment to our country.

Agree! We should have been Basketball World Cup contender next year. Hope they will give one wildcard to us...

finally they are trying to move forward, but gonna keep my fingers crossed...

they already wasted an opportunity for the PI to play at the World Championship ...

[quote="palpok"]Cojuangco, Lina try to end cage rift

"I will seek a clarification with [FIBA secretary general Patrick] Baumann first," an Inquirer report quoted Lina as saying last Saturday.
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It is just proper for BAP to consider a clarification from FIBA knowing
that if this formation of a new cage body will push through, it would
mean the disbandment of BAP. My concern here is that this shouldn't
be leading for a delaying tactic by BAP. SEA Games is fast approaching,
if BAP is really seeking the welfare of Philippine Basketball and not just their own pathetic pride, they should clear these things fast.
Boying Martelino, PBF's president has already aired that they are willing
to disband to make way for this new cage body. I don't see any reason
why Lina's group should not do the same in order to salvage national
pride.

My two cents....

Moying Martelino i mean......

originally posted by jomapac:
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finally they are trying to move forward, but gonna keep my fingers crossed...

they already wasted an opportunity for the PI to play at the World Championship ...
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Right on, bro. almost everything here in the Philippines is politisized. Even presenting our boxing champions are evolving in politics! those scumbug politicians are the ones who are making our country stinks!

finally...
i hope they will settle this down and end their feud..