But people close to the POC said the approval of the document is practically a done deal, give or take a few minor revisions, because this is what they have strived for over the past year.

This developed even as Basketball Association of the Philippines President Joey Lina made a last-ditch bid to discredit the presentation saying the other stakeholders reneged on an earlier agreement making the BAP the lead organization for RP basketball.

The presentation, however, went on without a hitch as the four other stakeholders affixed their signatures on the by-laws which will be submitted to the FIBA office in Switzerland by March 30 and then to the FIBA Congress for approval during the World Basketball Championship in Japan in August.

The drafting of the by-laws and the creation of a new organization were some of the conditions laid down by FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann so the suspension of RP basketball can be lifted.

Signing the document were Philippine Baketball Association Commissioner Noli Eala, Philippine Basketball League Commissioner Chino Trinidad, Junjun Capistrano of the UAAP and Bernie Atienza of the NCAA.

Missing was Lina’s signature, one of the stakeholders named by the FIBA. Lina broke away from the group yesterday after it became apparent the BAP would not be a significant entity in the new organization.

POC Legal Counsel Ding Tanjuatco described the four major stakeholders that presented the by-laws to POC President Jose "Peping" Cojuangco Jr. yesterday as the "backbone of Philippine basketball."

Although satisfied with the completion of the work which barely met the deadline he set, Cojuangco said he would still look at the document overnight and will issue a statement today about Pilipinas Basketball’s acceptance.

"I will review it and might even consult with a few people," said Cojuangco.

Under the new setup, the officers of the new body will be made up of 15 individuals with six coming from the PBA and three each from the PBL and the two collegiate leagues.

PBA commissioner Noli Eala said that "the PBA will not control but lead" when asked why the league was given six slots.

The election of a new set of officers will be done sometime next week.

"This should break the impasse. This addresses all the concerns and requirements presented in the MoU. We have made concrete steps towards unity (in basketball)," said Eala. "This is not an organization of individuals."

But Lina cautioned that getting the FIBA’s backing won’t be easy.

"The surest and fastest way to lift the suspension on Philippine participation in FIBA and IOC-sanctioned international basketball tournaments is for the BAP to amend its constitution and by-laws, with the direct participation of PBA, UAAP, NCAA and PBL in the preparation of the necessary amendments that will follow the FIBA guidelines and statutes, and then for the POC to approve the BAP reapplication as member. This is known as the "return to the status quo" or "Bap return to POC" process," said Lina in a statement yesterday.

Lina said the other stakeholders had earlier agreed that using the BAP as framework is the key towards the lifting of the suspension.

Lina cited a quote from Baumann, in a letter dated Oct. 27, 2005 to Cojuangco: "Should the POC wish to revisit its stand on BAP, the MoU process is unnecessary and our ban can be lifted immediatedly. In such an event, for the benefit of a long-term solution for basketball, we are at your disposal to continue to assist the POC and BAP in order to rapidly implement the necessary changes in the BAP constitution and organization, along the lines recommended in the MoU and the documents alreday provided by FIBA to (POC chairman Robert) Aventajado."

Lina said: "First, the BAP should first be expelled by FIBA because the BAP is an active member in good standing. Only when the BAP is expelled by FIBA that FIBA can recognize a new cage body in the Philippines. But the BAP can only be suspended or expelled by FIBA for cause. There exists no ground for FIBA to expel or even suspend the BAP. In fact, FIBA in deciding the application for membership of the POC-sponsored PBFI, declared that the BAP expulsion by the POC was "inappropriate and out of proportion…"

Lina said the other stakeholders "drew a small circle that kept (him) out" in reaction to reports that he was not around when they decided to alter the approach towards the creation of a new set of by-laws.

"I was preparing for a trip abroad," he said.

Meanwhile, the POC said it was ready to take new steps should the FIBA decide to turn down the application.

Mark Joseph, a member of the committee tasked by the POC to handle the basketball issue, said the POC will elevate the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.