PSC chief Ramirez still holding out hope for basketball team in Asian Games

Philippine Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez said on Friday that the agency is joining the snowballing clamor for the Samahang Basketball sa Pilipinas to reconsider its withdrawal from the Asian Games.

Even with the Philippine Olympic Committee already forwarding to the Olympic Council of Asia the SBP’s withdrawal decision, Ramirez said the OCA will “welcome the Philippines joining back in the Asian Games” if the country reconsiders.

“The Philippines as a basketball country will be happy,” if the SBP decides to send a delegation to the Games, slated Aug. 18 to Sept. 2.

He added: “The PBA could easily help form a team for the country and flag. Especially that [the country] is qualified and has a slot in the Asian Basketball Competition. I received a lot of feedbacks to request SBP to reconsider their decision para sa bayan. And we are here to support the delegation.”

The Philippines is seeded seventh among 15 teams in the Asian Games.

SBP withdrew the national team from the Asiad, saying there was no time to send a competitive squad. The national federation also said it was focusing its energies and efforts on the Fiba World Cup qualifying windows. This was after 10 players and two coaches were suspended after a brawl between the Philippines and Australia at Philippine Arena last July 2, during both teams’ qualifying matchup.