THE Philippine Tennis Association submitted a line-up of athletes to the office of the Chef de Mission to the Kuala Lumpur Southeast Asian Games but it will not be recognized by the Philippine Olympic Committee.
The line-up includes Treat Huey, Ruben Gonzales Francis Casey Alcantara and Jeson Patrombon for the men’s team, while Kathrina Lehnert, Anna Clarice Patrimonio, Kim Iglupas and Denise Dy make up the women’s squad.
The document, received by Southeast Asian Games Chef de Mission Cynthia Carrion, was signed by lawyer Tony Cablitas, who purportedly ascended to the Philta presidency in an election called by board member Romeo Magat.
POC secretary-general Steve Hontiveros, however said that the list submitted by Cablitas will not be honored because the POC only recognizes Edwin Olivares, mayor of Parañaque City, as Philta president.
“It should be Mr. Olivarez who should sign all the documents because he is the recognized president by the POC. If Philta wants to change leadership, it should go through the right process,” said Hontiveros.
Carrion also told media that she will just receive the line-up, but it doesn’t mean that it will be an official document.
It was not known if the players in the line-up were aware of their inclusion in the team.
The last time their names were submitted for participation in the Davis Cup, Huey and Alcantara begged off.
Before the supposed Philta election took place on Friday last week, POC president Joey Romasanta said they will not send a representative because the requirements for holding the elections were not met.
First, the elections should be called by Olivares and not Romeo Magat.
Secondly, the Philta board should send the POC a formal resolution declaring the additional names in the board of trustees.
Cablitas, Jean Henri Lhuillier, Gerardo Maronilla and Martin Misa were not included in the original voting board members of Philta.
“Everything should be validated, including the names of all those who will vote in the elections. If the requirements are met, by all means, we will send our representative and make the elections valid,” said Hontiveros.
Magat’s group proceeded with the elections however, even without a duly recognized POC representative.
The results of the elections also drew flak from a group composed of active stakeholders in tennis.
“We did not participate in the recent election because it violated several rules. Even the Philippine Olympic Committee did not participate and is not recognizing the results,” said Lhuillier, a long-time tennis patron and who is being groomed to be the next Philta president.
The Unified Tennis Group membership includes the sport’s private supporters such as Palawan Pawnshop, Wilson, Toby’s and B-Meg, among others.