Payback time for Smart Sports

GUANGZHOU—After pouring P300 million in two years to bankroll five sports, Smart Sports is now expecting a return of investment through medals in the ongoing Asian Games. “It’s payback time,” said PLDT-Smart top official Ricky Vargas, also the president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines and vice chair of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“Of course it will be disappointing if we don’t win a medal,” added Vargas, who watched the Philippines-Kuwait men’s basketball match with PLDT big boss Manny V. Pangilinan on Saturday night (See story below). Aside from basketball and boxing, PLDT-Smart is also a major supporter of taekwondo, cycling and wrestling. Vargas didn’t say how much is Smart-PLDT’s financial support but noted that the bulk went to basketball. Abap is fielding six boxers who are all strong medal potentials while the 12-strong taekwondo squad boasts of 2006 Doha Asian Games silver medalist Tsomlee Go and John Paul Lizardo. Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio said cash were also given to cycling’s Marites Bitbit and wrestling’s Angana brothers—Jimmy, Jerry.