MANILA, Philippines – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is making a last-ditch effort for the inclusion of naturalized player Andray Blatche to suit up for Gilas Pilipinas, the national men’s basketball team, in the 17th Incheon Asian Games.
SBP president Manny Pangilinan wrote a formal appeal to Olympic Council Asia president Sheikh Ahmed Al Fahad Al Sabah of Kuwait last Monday, September 8, detailing the reasons why Blatche was eligible to compete in the sportsfest unfolding on Sept. 19 in Incheon, South Korea.
Pangilinan’s plea was in response to the OCA letter sent by e-mail to the SBP Monday afternoon disqualifying the former Brooklyn Net and native of Syracuse, New York from the Incheon Asiad for lacking the three-year residency needed for naturalized players under the OCA Eligibility Code.
“We write to make a final appeal for your goodselves to allow Mr. Blatche to be part of the 12-man Gilas team which plans to participate in Incheon, South Korea this month,” said Pangilinan in his letter to the OCA head.
He mentioned four points in underscoring why the athletic 6-foot-10 center’s inclusion in the line-up of the Philippine team was justified.
The SBP honcho noted that the endorsement letter of International Basketball Federation (FIBA) secretary general Patrick Bauman dated Sept. 5 sent to the International Asian Games Organizing Committee (IAGOC) “that FIBA establishes the eligibility criteria for all basketball athletes worldwide for all competitions organized by and sanctioned by FIBA,” the Asian Games included.
“Without specifically mentioning Mr. Blatche by name but with obvious reference to him, Mr. Baumann stated that IAGOC should allow him to play in the Asian Games since he has been qualified to play in FIBA-sanctioned games, starting with the above mentioned Basketball World Cup,” he said.
Blatche was the linchpin of the Gilas Pilipinas basketeers, who lost their first four games by close margins before winding up their campaign with an epic 81-79 triumph over Senegal in the FIBA World Cup Group B qualifiers in Seville, Spain.
“The SBP has consistently made representations with the IAGOC through the Philippine Olympic Committee, asserting the legitimate eligibility of Mr. Blatche to play for the Gilas team in the Asian Games,” he stressed.
Pangilinan maintained that the “SBP takes clear and firm view that in the event of a ‘misunderstanding’ between the eligibility rules of FIBA and those of regional competitions (such as the Asian Games), the International Federation rules take precedence.
“FIBA rules have no residency requirement for a naturalized player, for so long as such player plays only for one national team.”
As his last argument, Pangilinan cited Article 49 of the OCA’s Eligibility Code, which states that “to be eligible for participation in the OCA Games, a competitor must observe and abide by the rules of the IOC/OCA as per (the) Olympic charter.
“OCA, therefore, must recognize that the Olympic charter prevails over OCA rules in respect of any eligibility requirements.”
“We earnestly seek the help and support and understanding of your goodselves, and allow Mr. Blatche – and our National Team – to join the brotherhood of basketball in the Asian Games,” Pangilinan said
Although written in a generally conciliatory tone, Pangilinan concluded his letter by saying “it is our sincere hope that this ‘misunderstanding’ would not lead the SBP any other alternative other than to participate, considering that the Games are due to start in two weeks.”
In a conference held Monday after receiving the OCA notice, SBP vice-chairman Ricky Vargas hinted that among their options was withdrawing the PH squad from the Asian Games if Blatche’s status was not settled amicably.
Even as SBP sent its appeal letter to FIBA, Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, the PH contingent’s chef de mission to the Incheon Asiad, met Tuesday afternoon with POC president Jose Cojuangco Jr. to how they could resolve the issue.
“The POC will come out with its official stand tomorrow (Wednesday),” said Garcia, who was scheduled to leave Wednesday afternoon for Incheon for the Asian Games delegation registration meeting set tomorrow and Friday.
He will be joined by SBP consultant Mauricio “Moying” Martelino, who Garcia insisted would be his adviser during the critical meeting despite the fact that the former Asian Basketball Confederation secretary general was denied accreditation by IAGOC last weekend.
“I will refer to his (Martelino’s) vast knowledge of international basketball when the case of Blatche crops up,” he said.
Garcia said he was not favor of a boycott and would prefer sending an All-Filipino squad “to show everyone that we really have heart.” – Rappler.com
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