Philippine basketball is in a better state after the Philippine Olympic Committee officials and heads of the four major stakeholders of Pilipinas Basketball discussed the issue with Patrick Baumann, secretary-general of the international basketball federation, in Seoul, South Korea, Rep. Monico Puentevella said yesterday.

Pilipinas Basketball, which was formed to replace the expelled Basketball Association of the Philippines, was not approved, but at least Baumann acknowledged the efforts of POC and the four major stakeholders --- Philippine Basketball Association, Philippine Basketball League, UAAP and NCAA, Puentevella said.

Puentevella, first vice-president of the POC, said the international basketball federation or FIBA has not set a deadline anymore for the Philippines to present its new cage body so the basketball leaders could really plan well on how the new basketball group will be approved.

The Bacolod solon said that Philippine basketball also has a bright future because International Olympic Committee president Joaquin Rogge has assured his full support to the expulsion of BAP.

Puentevella said he filed a resolution to the Congress yesterday thanking Rogge for his all-out support to Philippine basketball.

The trip to Seoul has also made Baumann establish a personal relationship with the major stakeholders of Pilipinas Basketball, except BAP president Joey Lina, he said.

The meeting with Baumann also made him see the real picture that Pilipinas Basketball is more acceptable in international basketball than BAP, he added.

The expulsion of BAP, which is considered by FIBA as the official cage body of the country, led to the suspension of the Philippines' participation in international basketball competitions.

The trip was led by POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco, POC secretary-general Stephen Hontiveros, PBA chair Ely Capacio, commissioner Noli Eala and governor Ricky Vargas, PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad, Jose Capistrano Jr. of UAAP and Paul Supan of NCAA.*CIT

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