A media conference today apparently to reaffirm the handshake agreement between Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and businessman Manny V. Pangilinan in setting the course of Philippine basketball will proceed as scheduled.

This was confirmed by a source close to both parties despite the cloud of doubt now hovering over the leadership of Estrada as president of the Basketball Association of the Philippines.

A 17-paragraph press statement from the BAP Executive Board was circulated Saturday announcing the replacement of Estrada as BAP head by Christian Tan, the executive vice president who will now serve as acting president.

The shocking news threw a wrench right at the slowly-grinding Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas machinery, practically bringing back to square one what was previously perceived as a breakthrough in the impasse as to who will lead the SBP.

Before Christmas, Estrada, in a teleconference at the PLDT office in Makati, told newsmen he was stepping aside to allow Pangilinan, owner of the Talk ‘N Text Phone Pals and the man behind Smart Telecommunications, to assume the post of SBP president.

Estrada will then settle for the largely ceremonial position of chairman.

Immediately, a howl rose from within the BAP, with officials claiming they were not consulted on the matter.

"He was appointed exactly to protect the interest of the BAP," said one BAP executive. "And this is not the way to do it. It was a unilateral decision on his part."

The disgruntled BAP officials reportedly moved swiftly, convening the executive board which then proceeded to oust Estrada during a meeting at the Century Park Hotel shortly thereafter.

Scheduled at two this afternoon at the PLDT building on Makati Avenue, the media conference, a source said, could be the stage where the SBP will openly take on the BAP, with Estrada and Pangilinan joining hands in forming a new basketball association.

Attempts to get Estrada to make a statement on his reported ouster proved futile and an SBP insider indicated every issue will be discussed during the media conference.