By US News Agency / Asian

The Philippine men’s basketball team is in danger of missing the Asian Games competition in Guangzhou, China come November.

In fact, team’s extended delay of its final lineup submission has infuriated the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

The POC is giving the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) until 5 p.m. Wednesday to submit its final and official lineup for its men’s team to the 16th Asian Games.

Otherwise, the POC said there’s nothing more it could do to make sure that the country will be represented in the basketball competitions of the quadrennial event.

Moying Martelino of the POC working committee said he has repeatedly informed Smart Gilas team manager Frankie Lim of the POC-imposed deadline of September 15 for the submission of the official lineups.

But the former secretary-general of the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) told Tuesday’s PSA Forum he’s heard nothing from Lim since the latter asked for an extension until September 19.

“Today is the 21st but I haven’t received anything. They should be responsible enough for us not to remind them everyday,” said Martelino, referring to the officials of the RP basketball team.

The SBP has already submitted 18 names for accreditation to the Guangzhou Asian Games, and among those are the names of the late inclusions like Asi Taulava, Kelly Williams and James Yap, who had begged off.

Now, the POC wants the final 12-man lineup, saying the deadline set by organizers in Guangzhou is just nine days away.

“They’re not the only ones we’re handling for the Asian Games. There are 30 other sports. It’s now up to them. Thursday is the deadline. Beyond that we can’t do anything. I’m fed up,” said Martelino.

“If they don’t want to submit their final lineup, there’s nothing we can do. If you don’t want to submit your lineup, what does that mean? It means you’re not interested to join,” he added.

Also in the forum were RP team chef-de-mission Joey Romasanta and Clarito Samson, a member of the working committee.

“The absolute deadline for the basketball team is Thursday,” said Romasanta, adding that as of Tuesday, there are 235 names in the list of Filipino athletes going to Guangzhou.

He said the RP women’s basketball team is practically out of the Asian Games because the only way it can qualify is if it wins the SEABA tournament scheduled October 24 to 29 in Manila.

The problem, however, is that the drawing of the groupings for the Asian Games is set October 7, and if the Philippines puts a team there, and eventually pulls out, the POC will face heavy sanctions from the organizers.

“How can you postpone the draw? Besides, it’s not only the basketball groupings that will be drawn on October 7 but all the other team events,” said Martelino.