THE Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Inc. announced the
passing of four Filipino referees who were nominated by the SBP as new
candidates in the recently-concluded FIBA Clinic for International Referees held
in Manila last Sept 17-18. The Clinic was conducted by FIBA Sports Director
Lubomir Kotleba.
The new International Referees are Dennis Barbacena, Ricor
Buaron, Joenard Garcia and Dominique Pomar.
In addition, two more local referees, Arnolfo Bermeo and
Rafael Britanico, passed the refresher course in the same clinic to retain their
status as international referees with the FIBA.
SBP President Manuel V. Pangilinan lauded the feat of the
Filipino referees as a breakthrough in the SBP’s objective of raising the level
of officiating in the Philippines to international standards.
SBP Executive Director Noli Eala said this milestone
achievement has given the SBP the impetus to continue with and strengthen its
Referees Development programs all over the country.
"The referees development is a very critical part of the SBP
plans and programs. Our vision is to see the Filipino basketball referees
officiating a game in the Olympics some day," added Eala.
With the approval of the six International Referees, the
Philippines now has a total of nine FIBA-accredited game officials. The SBP has
set a modest goal of producing 10-12 IRs by 2009 or twice as many as what was
produced by the old NSA two years ago.
The SBP Technical Commission headed by Perry Martinez with Levy Valenzuela as
education group chief will present the new IRs to SBP officials led by
Pangilinan and Misamis Oriental Governor and SBP chairman Oscar Moreno in a
recognition and acceptance ceremony later this month.
