MAURICIO “Moying” MARTELINO, who spent the best years of his life running the affairs of Asian and Philippine basketball as past secretary general of the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) and the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), was plucked from retirement yesterday to lead the Philippine Basketball Federation (PBF) as its first president.

Also withdrawing was Chito Narvasa, president of the Basketball Coaches Association of the Philippines.

Gullas was represented in yesterday’s meeting at the Makati Sports Club by former professional standout Elmer Cabahug, who bared that the 75-year-old lawmaker decided not to seek the position because of his busy itinerary and age.

Narvasa did not attend the election and did not send a representative.

Martelino’s first order of business will be to seek Philippine Olympic Committee recognition of the PBF which will probably come as early as next week when the POC holds its regular general assembly.

Martelino’s group does not see any problem in this regard as the POC itself had expelled the BAP from its roster after the BAP had racked up what would be a record of infamy for RP teams in international competitions.

The new association’s bigger concern is how to regain its membership in the international basketball federation, known for its acronym French acronym FIBA, which continues to recognize the BAP.

Even as the BAP is recognized, however, Philippine basketball has been suspended from several international competitions, one of which is the Southeast Asian Games which will be a disaster should the country not be able to participate, being its hosts.

Also elected were Nic Jorge of the Small Basketeers as Senior VicePresident; Chino Trinidad of the Philippine Basketball League as VP for men’s basketball; Pedro Lee of Bicol as VP for women’s basketball; Vic Calvo of Letran as treasurer; and Max Rendon of Adamson as auditor.

According to Martelino, the new officers will serve until May and then hold another election.

"What we would like to do right now is put everything in order for Philippine basketball," said Martelino who acknowledged that the FIBA problem will be their main concern.

"I just hope it (lifting of suspension) will come as early as possible. We will try to do it as fast as we could (although) this is not within our control."

Martelino decided to postpone the appointment of a secretary general saying he needed to first consult the board.

"Maraming trabaho ang posisyon ng sec-gen. Maraming paperwork," said Martelino, whose ascension to the PBF’s top spot was witnessed by POC president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and chairman Robert Aventajado.

Martelino served as ABC sec-gen for nine years, during the time of Lito Puyat from 1987 to 1996. While he was in the ABC, Martelino was also a member of the central board of the FIBA.

After his tenure, Martelino served as consultant of the Qatar Olympic Committee.

Before his ABC stint, Martelino also was BAP secretary general until 1991.

The PBF was created to take the void left following the expulsion of the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP), which was kicked out of the POC for reneging in its commitment to allow the POC form the national basketball team for various international tournaments.

Despite the expulsion of the BAP, the FIBA continues to recognize the BAP as the governing body for the sport in the Philippines.

Asked what the chances of the new association are from getting official FIBA recognition, Martelino said "it is a big problem, but not insurmountable."