The Basketball Association of the Philippines, is alive, kicking, and spreading its wings.
Last Friday, officials and stakeholders of the BAP Region IV A & B, comprising the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) and MIMAROPA (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) areas, held its 4th BAP Convention at Bgy. Pooc Basketball Court in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
The event is aimed to further sharpen the skills of the referees and table officials, not only in basketball but also in volleyball.
Among the officials present during the event’s opening rites were Region IV A&B Chairman Leonardo “Ding” Andres, Prof. Daniel Fabello, BAP Provincial Director in Romblon, Meneles Viray, BAP Provincial Director of Palawan and Noel Castro, BAP Provincial Director of Batangas.
Also present were the invited clinician and lecturers Fiba international referee Richard Villanueva and former national coach and NCAA Commissioner Arturo “Bai” Cristobal for basketball and Prof. Robert Milton Calo, who will facilitate and conduct the seminar for officiating in volleyball.
Pooc Bgy, Captain Levino Caramay was represented by former Bgy. Chairman Sergio Caramay, while also present was the lone lady in the group, the BAP Region IV A&B Legal Counsel Atty. Joanne Marie Fabella.
Castro, who acted as emcee and moderator, aptly described the sentiment of the group with an impassioned speech on the group’s loyalty to the BAP, one of the oldest sports association at 80 years old. He vowed to remain loyal to the BAP until the end, a statement echoed by other officials.
Last year, the BAP Region IV A&B reached a milestone when, through Ding Andres’ efforts, it was registered as a legal entity with the Security and Exchange Commission.
Andres said this was done so as to preserve the gains that were accomplished by the BAP in the region, and to protect its rights and status as a sports organization.
The convention will be a three-day affair and will officially end today, with the participants hoping to gain more knowledge and technical skills in their chosen craft when they go back to their respective areas and provinces.