World body’s rules on eligibility must apply: FIBA: Blatche eligible for Asiad

MADRID, Spain – The Philippines, kept in the dark on Andray Blatche’s eligibility for the coming Asian Games, got a strong ally in FIBA, which  tacitly ordered the Asiad organizing committee to enlist the 6-foot-11 NBA veteran in the Gilas Pilipinas roster competing in the Incheon, Korea meet starting Sept. 19.

In a letter to the Incheon Asian Games Organizing Committee top officials Friday, FIBA secretary general Patrick Bauhmann stressed that Blatche – though not specifically mentioned – is “registered in FIBA’s eligibility system as a player for the Philippines” and is therefore eligible to play in all FIBA-sanctioned championships, including the Asian Games.

“(Blatche) has, in fact, just played several games this past week at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain for that country. It is quite confusing to hear that he is now not allowed to compete for the same team just a few weeks later,” said Bauhmann in his letter to IAGOC addressed to secretary general Kwon Kyungsang, sports headquarters director general Jo Youngha and entire department director Mun Hosung.

Bauhmann reminded IAGOC that the International Basketball Federation alone establishes the eligibility criteria for all the basketball athletes worldwide for the purpose of their participation in national team competitions in official basketball competitions organized by or sanctioned by FIBA.

Bauhmann also reminded IAGOC the fact that it uses FIBA’s international referees to officiate the Games and apply the official basketball rules as edited by FIBA.

The FIBA top official insisted that FIBA rules must be applied, in this case, the Asia organizers must honor FIBA’s recognition of Blatche as an eligible player.

“I would kindly request that you review your decision and apply FIBA’s regulations on eligibility for all teams participating in the basketball tournament at the Asian Games and re-enlist the Filipino player,” said Bauhmann.

“This would certainly be fair for the athlete concerned and his country,” Bauhmann also said.

“Equally, if the same set of eligibility rules, namely that of the International Federation, is being applied to all international basketball events for national teams across the world, it ensures clarity for the media and the fans alike and credibility for the sport,” he further said.

Furnished a copy of Bauhmann’s letter were IOC sports director Kit McConnell, NOC relations diretor Pere Miro, OCA director general Husain Al-Musallam, and FIBA Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian.

IAGOC has questioned the eligibility of Blatche under the Asiad’s supposed three-year residency rule.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas contends though that the rule applies only to naturalized players who have competed in any international competition for another country.

The SBP hopes IAGOC will approve Blatche’s entry in the Philippine lineup during the delegation registration meeting on Sept. 11.

With the inclusion of Blatche, Gilas Pilipinas is likely to have a good shot at the Asiad gold medal that the country hasn’t won for over four decades now.

Gilas’ roster includes Blatche, Gabe Norwood, Jared Dillinger, Jayson Castro, Paul Lee, LA Tenorio, Jeff Chan, Gary David, Ranidel de Ocampo, Marc Pingris, Japeth Aguilar and Junmar Fajardo.