Hagop Khajirian named FIBA-Asia secretary general

  FIBA-Asia confirmed the news in a press release posted on their website.   "It is a great responsibility and privilege to be elected to this post," said Khajirian.   Khajirian was the FIBA-Asia deputy secretary general prior to the FIBA-Asia Central Board meeting when the vote was held.   However, Filipinos are more familiar with Khajirian as the FIBA official who invoked article 3-21 to nearly prevent Marcio Lassiter and Chris Lutz from paritcipating in the 26th FIBA-Asia Championship last year in Wuhan, China.   Article 3-21 required the two Fil-Americans to prove that they became Filipino citizens prior to the age of 16.   That same rule prevented players from Qatar, Lebanon, and Syria from being fielded as well.   But in Lutz and Lassiter's case, Philippine officials were able to assemble the necessary paperwork in time to allow the duo to play in the tournament's second round, with FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann giving the ok-signal himself.   The Philippines wound up placing fourth in that tourney after a 70-68 loss to South Korea. - Adrian Dy/RSJ, GMA News