Photo from PBA.ph.
As chief of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, he spearheaded a team that moved heaven and earth to give the country the hosting right for the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship and homecourt advantage the national needs to get back to the world stage.
Before that, as head of PLDT/Smart, he practically bankrolled Gilas Pilipinas’ bid to qualify for the 2014 Fiba World Cup.
By all accounts, Manny V. Pangilinan is allowed to lean back and watch as the national team tries to carve its place in history.
And so far, he’s enjoying the view.
“I think [Gilas Pilipinas] has done a good job the past games,” Pangilinan told the Inquirer moments after the Philippines handed Qatar its first loss in the tournament, 80-70, Tuesday night at Mall of Asia Arena.
“They’re doing very good,” he added.
Gilas Pilipinas has won four games so far in the tournament but lost a key game against Chinese Taipei, a defeat whose implications will be known once the knockout phase gets going Friday.
Still, Pangilinan said he was “absolutely” proud of the heart the team showed in winning the next two games after what seemed like a demoralizing loss.
“Even our first two games, we were behind but we fought back,” he said, underlining Gilas Pilipinas’ ability to buck the odds.
But more than the performance of the national team, the SBP president admitted he was thrilled with the response of the home crowd so far in the tournament. This was exactly how he pictured it when he and the SBP lobbied hard to bring the Fiba Asia to Manila.
“I’m grateful to the followers and the fans for supporting the team,” he said. “Iba ’yung naglalaro ka sa bayan mo, sa bahay mo (It’s different when you play in your country, in your home).”
The loud cheers, the choreographed chants, the electric atmosphere—Pangilinan said the crowd has so far gone beyond his expectations. In fact, when the crowd did the “wave” during a break in the Philippines’ 90-71 demolition of Japan Monday night, Pangilinan joined in.
And if another wave rushes his way, would he join in again?
“Of course, why not?” he said with a smile.
And as Pangilinan headed toward the exit, he took one look back and issued a reminder to the fans looking to head to Mall of Asia Arena to continue cheering for the Philippines entering the knockout stage.
“Wear white!” he said.