MVP: PH not planning to join in bidding to host Olympic qualifier

Manny V. Pangilinan. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

According to reports, Manny V. Pangilinan, the Gilas Pilipinas godfather, had initially said that the Philippines has no intention to take part in bidding to host the Qualifying tournament set a month before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

Pangilinan left for Manila on a private plane together with executives from his various companies, including Ricky Vargas, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas vice chairman.

Pangilinan could not be reached for comment as of posting. He and his group will reportedly stop over in Hong Kong.

The Philippines lost to China, 78-67, in the 2015 Fiba Asia Championship final on Saturday night, yielding the lone Asian Olympic slot in the tournament to the Chinese.