FIBA CLEARS LASSITER AND LUTZ TO PLAY; PANGILINAN'S LETTER TO FIBA SECRETARY GENERAL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Sep 2011
FIBA, the international governing body for basketball has cleared Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz to play for the Philippines at the start of the second round of the FIBA Asia Men?s Championships in Wuhan, China beginning with Monday?s game against Jordan.
Former PBA Commissioner and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala revealed that the letter clearing Lassiter and Lutz whose eligibility as natural born Filipinos had been questioned by Lebanon.
In his letter addressed to SBP president Manny Pangilinan and current executive director and former PBA Commissioner Sonny Barrios, FIBA secretary general, lawyer Patrick Baumann said "After a review, I hereby authorize players Lassiter and Lutz to play for the National Team team of the Philippines without being subject to Article 3 (21a)? which effects naturalized players.
In his Twitter post, Eala said that only a financial penalty has been imposed in accordance with Aricle 3-301 for "late submission of docs required to prove eligibility.?
He also paid tribute to the eminent businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan who has bankrolled the Smart Gilas national team for his efforts to have the ban on Lassiter and Lutz lifted. Eala said ?Credit goes to MVP who made a last ditch appeal to FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann.? He also credited Barrios and deputy Bernie Atienza for their efforts.
Charles Tiu, a member of Rajko Toroman?s coaching staff said they had ?prepared for tomorrow (Monday) without the two guys Lassiter and Lutz and this will change our game plan. But this is definitely for the better because both Chris Tiu (Charles? brother) and JV Casio are both playing hurt.?
MVP'S LETTER TO BAUMANN ON LASSITER AND LUTZ
We have been privileged to receive excerpts of a letter sent by the esteemed businessman-sportsman and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny Pangilinan ti FIVA secretary general Patrick Baumann on the eligibility issue of Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz.
The letter and a position paper submitted to FIBA including its Legal Affairs head Benjamin Cohen eventually resulted in clearanca for Lassiter and Lutz to play in today's crucial game against Jordan at 3:30 p.m. to be telecast over AKTV IBC Channel 13.
The MVP letter reflects just about everything he and the SBP have sought to achieve for Philippine basketball in recent years after a long spell of the sport being terribly mishandled.
Dear Mr Baumann
With your indulgence, I write from polluted Wuhan, to make one final appeal to you ? beyond the legal and technical issues under consideration, and from the broader perspective of Philippine basketball, and its future. Our game against Jordan has now been re-sked earlier at 3:30 pm local time. Which means a decision on the Lassiter and Lutz cases early morning Geneva time would be helpful.
We are both aware about the gap between Philippine laws on citizenship and the FIBA rules relevant to eligibility. It is not the moment here to rehash the arguments of both sides. I simply wish to convey these three (3) points:
Finally, my personal appeal, Mr Baumann, if I may. It has been a little over five (5) years since my involvement began somewhat reluctantly with the basketball NSA. I don?t need to chronicle the pain and effort we all went through these years - of which you were a witness, and sometimes an unfortunate target. We have come some ways since then; but I will admit we do have some ways to go.
It would be a real setback for Philippine basketball if our Smart Gilas team were to be weakened considerably with the disqualification of these two players. Conversely, it will be a considerable boost to the program if they can play, and help our team improve its standing on the global stage.
I still remember and will never forget ? the remark you made to me in Bangkok about four (4) years ago. You reminded me that our National Team will likely not make it to the Olympics until 2016, maybe at the earliest. Whilst I will be the last to admit that I agree with your observation, I remain an idealist, but without any illusion. 2012 or 2016 or even 2020, we will continue to do our best, try our hardest, dream the highest. But we can only do so with FIBA?s help, support, and broad understanding ? particularly at this important juncture in Philippine basketball.
My apologies for this long email.
A blessed Sunday.
Kindest regards.
M.V.P.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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