http://www.malaya.com.ph/jun25/spor3.htm
EVEN at the risk of courting another suspension from the International Basketball Federation, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan said they will not attend the meeting called by the FIBA next month to tackle what the world body said is an "internal dispute" in local basketball.
During a press briefing in Makati, Pangilinan said the SBP will not recognize the authority of the special commission tasked by the FIBA to mediate in the meeting set on July 20-22 at the FIBA headquarters in Geneva unless the world body explained the reason behind the creation of the special commission. The invitation for the meeting was sent last June 20.
Aside from the SBP, also invited to meeting the meeting are officials of the Basketball Association of the Philippines, among them Graham Lim, whose reinstatement to the FIBA Youth Commission is being challenged by the SBP.
FIBA secretary-general emeritus Borislav Stankovic has been tasked to head the commission, with FIBA legal commission chief Ken Madsen and FIBA honorary president Carl Ching Menky as members.
"We were given a letter last year where FIBA affirmed its support to us," Pangilinan said. "SBP should stand up to this kind of treatment and expose them for what they really are.
"We’re asking you, FIBA, to tell us what went wrong," Pangilinan said. "Tell us, why are you doing this? We’re not questioning your powers, or your authority to investigate, but we want to know, what are the charges? Why are you bringing me to court with the threat of suspension?
"We wrote them a letter, saying ‘no’ to their invitation in Geneva unless they explain why we should go there. I think we deserve respect. We need to know what this is all about."
The country has been suspended thrice before by the world body, the last time in 2005.
Pangilinan’s major concern is the participation of Powerade-Team Pilipinas in the 2009 FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship in Tianjin, China on Aug. 6-16, the qualifier for the 2010 World Championship in Turkey.
Pangilinan said FIBA should instead hold an investigation after the FIBA-Asia meet.
"Our participation in Tianjin is being hostaged," Pangilinan said. "If that’s what they want, then let’s do it after Aug. 16."
Menky is a close friend of Lim, the former BAP secretary-general, and controversial sports leader Go Teng Kok, a former BAP president.
this is bullshit! where are you bauhmann??? say something!!! sbp was just following your orders... these chinese triumvirates should all burn in hell!!!