Please convey to former Sen. Ambrosio Padilla my deepest apologies for my error in identifying him as the person who banned the Yugoslavian Basketball team from the Philippines in 1962 (Letters, Dec. 15). There is no excuse for my failure to remember that Mr. Padilla had, on the contrary, fought against the ban (Letters, Jan. 5). I deeply regret any embarrassment my error may have caused the former senator.

At the same time, I would like to assure Senator Padilla that when I spoke about his tenacity in holding on to what he has, I was referring not to his personal property but to the leadership positions he holds. I was thinking mainly of his fight to retain the post of Senate Minority Floor Leader which then President Diosdado Macapagal wanted to give to then newly-appointed Sen. Ferdinand E. Marcos.

All my letter wanted to convey was my belief that Mr. Padilla is so staunchly anti-communist that it would be inconceivable that an organization which he heads would be communist-infiltrated. I am sorry that this message did not come across.

ROSEMARIE ABUNDIO