SBP ready to explore ‘Plan B’

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) has a “Plan B” in case organizers of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand decide to bar teams from fielding naturalized players in the competition next month.

Confusion with the eligibility rule remains a big concern not only for the Norman Black-mentored Gilas Pilipinas but also among other nations, with just a couple of weeks left before the start of the biennial meet, running from 9 to 20 December.

It has also put the status of Gilas’ naturalized player Justin Brownlee in doubt as to whether he can rejoin the team in its gold medal defense or not.

A meeting is set on Wednesday with the Thailand SEA Games Organizing Committee to clear the issue.

“Because there’s a lot of confusion, I think a lot of the countries requested that meeting,” SBP executive director Erika Dy said.

“(But) we will still have a technical meeting when we arrive in Thailand.”

Dy disclosed that local organizers released a new handbook with two confusing provisions regarding player eligibility — one containing the FIBA rule about obtaining a passport before the age of 16 and the other about just having a passport.

“Actually, we’re also very frustrated about it. The first eligibility rule they gave us a few months back was passport only. Although knowing that it’s the SEA Games, and we know that the host has prerogative on this, we were prepared for both,” she explained.

“Even if we already got the notice from POC (Philippine Olympic Committee. So, we always have a Plan B. Then, suddenly, they passed a new handbook. In that handbook, it wasn’t clear,” Dy added.

“There were two different paragraphs. One paragraph was talking about FIBA rules. The other paragraph was talking about just the passports. So, it was black and white. And then we have that other document from the POC, in general, for all sports, passport only. So, that’s what has been happening.”

Dy said that even organizers, with the presence of the Basketball Sport Association of Thailand and a representative from the FIBA Regional Office-Asia, could not agree on the definite interpretation of the rules.

“So, in any case, we were already being asked to submit a lineup. So, we submitted the lineup, I think, two weeks ago. That was two weeks ago. And according to President Bambol Tolentino from the POC, if we don’t hear any comments from them by the 26th, that means the lineup is approved,” Dy said.

“This is different from the initial lineup we submitted, I think, a month ago, when they first asked for a shortlist. And that one, they gave back to us with notations.”

Dy confirmed that the names of Jamie Malonzo and Geo Chiu were included in the latest list the federation submitted as part of its Plan B.

The SBP official said she can’t directly answer if Brownlee will be allowed or not until after the crucial meeting.

“But again, like I said, we’re waiting for the 26th. That’s the next meeting of all the NOCs (national Olympic committees). And if we don’t get any notations on the lineup, then that’s when we’re really going to know what the rules are.”