FilBasket, an amateur league, announced yesterday their scheme to stage its inaugural season in Subic, after receiving a go signal from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the Regional Task Force 3 – Central Luzon to play the games in a bubble at the Subic Bay Gymnasium.

However, as per the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) rule, FilBasket cannot host a tournament until it gets professional and is regulated by the government-run professional sports governing agency.

Also, GAB legal division head Omar Benitez noted that Filbasket is not permitted to hold their basketball season because they have not received approval from the government agencies that oversee sports in the country – GAB and the Department of Health – under the Joint Administrative Order (JAO).

“In so far as the IATF rules, hindi sila allowed. There’s no approval from GAB. There’s no approval from PSC.”

“Like I mentioned earlier, dalawang aspect kasi siya – approval ng GAB and PSC, and the pandemic concern. Assuming na inallow sila ng IATF sa local, meron pa rin silang sagutin because ‘yung sports aspect is not covered. Sino ang magreregulate, hindi lang from the aspect of sports regulation but also from the health and safety. Inappoint ang GAB, PSC, and DOH because ‘yan ang mga agencies na may expertise,” he added.

He also added that they will be attacking the league “ from the point of view of Presidential Decree (PD) 871 on the regulation of professional basketball by the GAB. It’s non-negotiable. We have to put our foot down.”

“There’s probably a lack of communication. Maybe there’s a need for a little more discussion to lay down the rules to them (FilBasket) and we will do that.”