Filbasket has received questions for classifying itself as an amateur league.
In a statement made by league founder Jai Reyes, he stressed that his league is amateur in nature since its teams are only providing allowances or token amounts to its players.
Filbasket’s status had already been tackled by the Inter-Agency Task Force a month ago after an inquiry was raised by the Games and Amusements Board.
The IATF would conclude that Filbasket is a professional competition.
“Upon review, we take due notice that the amended position of GAB is that Filbasket is not outside the jurisdiction of their the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) or GAB as it presents itself to be and that they are rightfully under the regulatory authority of GAB’s office as Filbasket is ‘not an amateur event, neither is it aimed solely for the development of the national training pool but is actually a professional competition’,” explained IATF Undersecretary of Health Atty. Charade Mercardo-Grande.
With this, the IATF gave the jurisdiction of Filbasket’s case to the Joint Administrative Order group consisting of GAB, PSC, and the Department of Health back on September 27.
“The jurisdictional issue may be best settled between GAB and Filbasket as the same is already outside the ambit of the functions of the IATF,” the statement continued.
“In any event, the relevant guidelines are in place whether or not Filbasket be considered a professional sports organization.”
Filbasket instead opted to comply with the DOH Memorandum Circular No. 2021-0011 which is for leagues not governed by either GAB (professionals) or PSC (amateurs). It only received clearance to host a 26-day bubble tournament in Subic from the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF) of Central Luzon, and DOH.
The JAO group is looking to issue a cease and desist order if Filbasket pushes through.
