PBA, BAP reach accord on RP team

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) finally sat on one table together last Thursday and reached an agreement for a new partnership wherein their primary goal is a return stint for the RP team in the Olympics in 2008.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala and BAP- secretary general Graham Lim represented their respective associations in the initial PBA-BAP gab.

The two meet again this week with the PBA commissioner to present a draft of a new memorandum of agreement that would enhance and expand the pro league’s involvement in the formation, training and actual participation of the national team in major international tournaments.

Eala and Lim agreed to come up with a long-term program with a main target of a successful stint in the 2007 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) men’s championship that would give the country a ticket to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Eala is looking for a total package that could include the hosting of the 2007 ABC joust.

"When was the last time we hosted the ABC? Matagal-tagal na, so siguro it’s about time we host it again so we can have a better chance of winning it. With the crowd on our side, we have a better chance of winning," Eala has said in an earlier interview.

Lim promised to work hard to get the hosting rights.

"Malaki naman siguro ang chances natin dahil 31 years na tayong hindi nagho-host ng ABC. Kaya talagang pupursigihin naming makuha iyon," Lim said.

The Philippines last hosted the ABC championships in 1973, with the team coached by the late Tito Eduque, featuring Ramon Fernandez, Abet Guidaben, Manny Paner, Robert Jaworski, Bogs Adornado and Yoyong Martirez, beating South Korea for the crown.

After that, the only time the Philippines won the event was in 1986 with a team coached by Ron Jacobs and reinforced by two naturalized players.