Home 
Basketball Association of the Philippines secretary general Graham Lim fired back at the criticism he received for trying to invite FIBA and its president, Bob Elphinston, to the opening of the National City League Championships on behalf of his organization and not the BAP-SBP.
The BAP-SBP is the country's basketball governing body and the only national sports association recognized by the international governing body, FIBA.
However, Lim, in an email sent in December, informed Elphinston of the said tournament on behalf of just the BAP, to which the latter responded that the BAP was no longer recognized by FIBA.
?Tama naman ang sinasabi ni Elphinston na ang BAP-SBP ang recognized ng FIBA. But everybody is entitled to run their own tournament. I'm just trying to promote the game of basketball,? Lim said in an interview on Monday.
Lim added that the BAP has been an institution for 71 years and just because it has merged with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas does not mean that it has become non-existent.
?I'm not against the BAP-SBP. In fact I am a member of the board of trustees. I don't have anything against their president Manny Pangilinan. He is spending his own money while I am spending my own. I'm not quarreling with anybody here,? Lim reiterated.
Lim also stated that regardless of whether the FIBA heeds his invitation or not, the National City League Championships will push through on April 20 to 26 in Manila.
?What we're trying to do here is that maging cooperative with other countries. Para naman ito sa taong Pilipino. A lot of good can come out of this tournament,? Lim said. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio
