DOHA: The opening of the Filipino basketball leaguewas marred by a controversy over residnet permit of the one of the players.

The technical committee of Pinoy Basketbol Qatar (PIBAQ) has overturned the victory of depending champion IMCO Engineering after they found out the residence permit of their players was under process.

The decision, however, was questioned by IMCO Engineering coach Francis Tan who saidthat their player Nino Marquez already got his "offer letter" from their company and that they were working out to complete the necessary documents including the medical examination result for him acquire the residence permit.

Marquez has played for several minute contributing four points for his team during the opening games of the formal launch of 2011 McDonalod's basketball Cup of PIBAQ of which IMCO won over Power Horse Energy Drink by four points, 78-74.

The tournament is considered one of the biggest ever held with 25 teams participating in the conference and is also suported by other big co-sponsor Alicafe and Jersey Masters which provided the jerseys from the philippines.

Saying that their desicion is final and executory, PIBAQ officials have maintained that Marquez failed to comply with their league rules by citing Ruling No. 5.1, a provision which specifically states that any Filipino can play in the league if he has valid residence visa and meet the minimum requirement of six feet below in height for the cClass B Category. The decision was based on a complaint lodged by the losing team.

Pat Carido, PIBAQ President, has clarified that the ruling was very clear that no player is allowed to play unless he can present a valid residence permit which is stamped on his passport. He added documents of the player still under process cannot be an excuse to legitimate the validity of the player to be on the official roster of players allowed to play in the league.

Carido has cited a particular decision in the past conferences cititng the case of a playernamed James Mangaran who was not allowed to play after he failed to present a validresidence permit stamped on his passport.

For his part, a former PIBAQ tem coach Pete De Veas, said that it was necessary for a team to present a computer print out of the "offer letter" form the immigration Department and make sure that te player can pass the medical examination.

Amid the hullabaloo, an officlal of Salamn Petroleum team lauded PIBAQ's firm decision saying this would serve as precedence for other team to rigorously follow the rulers. "In our game on Friday we did not send our best player to play in the hard court because his residence permit is still under process,"  said Jobert Micaller of Salam Petroleum.

PENINSULA