POC officials warn SBP:Meet deadline for miss Asiad

MANILA PHILIPPINES-The Samahang Basketbol Pilipinas only has until today to submit their official 12 man lineup for the men's team to the 16th Asian Games in November

Otherwise,the Philippines Olympic committe said the SBP may risk losing its chance to represent the country in the event set in Ghuangzhou China.

"This is the major deadline," said RP team chief De misssion Jose Romasanta during yesterday's PSA forum.

"The SBP has submitted 18 names for accreditation bu we need the official 12 man lineup now.The absolute deadline from them to this is 5pm tommorow(today)," he said

The POC has imposed a a deadline of Sept 15 for the 30 NSA (National Sports Associations)that will represent our country in Ghuangzhou even if the deadline is set by organizers is still on Sept 30.

This has prompted Rajko Toroman,The Serbian head coach of the RP men's team Basketball team, to question the POC ultimatum or threat that failure to comply would mean failure to play in the Asian Games.

Tororman said the members of the teqm will hold meeting today regarding final composition of the team,but did not say if they would submit the final lineup before the 5pm deadline.

Moying Martelino of the POC working committee said has reapetedly informed Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim of the deadline.

But the former secretary general of the Asian Basketball Confederation said he's heard had nothing from Lim since tha latter asked for an extension until sept 19.

"Today is 21 But i havent recieving anything.They should be responsible enough for us not to remind them everyday,"said Martelino,reffering to the officials of the RP team Basketball team.

"Theyre not only the ones we're handling for the Asean Games.There are 30 sports.Its now up to them.Tommorow is the deadline beyond that we can do anything Im fed up," siad Martelino.

"If they dont want to submit their final lineup.what does that mean?It means youre not interest to join," he added.

Also in the forum RP team chef-de mission Joey Romasanta and Clarito Samson, a member working committee

"The absolute deadline for Basketball team is tommorow (today)," said Romasanta adding that as of yesterday,they are 235 names in the list of filipino athletes going to Ghuangzhou

He said the RP women basketball team is practically is out of the Asian Games because the only qualifies is if its win in the SEABA tournament schedule OCt 24-29 in Manila.

The problem,however,is that the drawings of that groupings for the Asian Games is set Oct 7,and if the Philippines puts a team there,and eventually pulls out,the POC will face heavy sanctions from the organizers.

"How you can postpone the draw?Besides,is not only the Basketball groupings that will be drawn on Oct 7 but all the other team events," said Martelino.

Source:By Abac Cordero (The Philippines Star)