New league rises on the horizon

TYCOON Manny V. Pangilinan surprised everyone when he made an unexpected appearance at Meralco Lighthouse, where the gala night of the newly formed Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (PCBL) was being held.

PCBL officials warmly welcomed MVP, and even tried to console him. It was, after all, one of his first public appearances after the Fiba Asia Championship in China, where Gilas Pilipinas settled for the silver medal and failed to book a spot in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.

MVP looked tired, unhappy and inconsolable as he managed a wan smile for the group that is now a stakeholder in the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

Television network TV5, which is owned by MVP, is the official coveror of the PCBL and the gala dinner that night was hosted by the network, a practice picked up from Fiba.

“This is how it’s done in the Fiba,” said TV5 Sports head Chot Reyes. “A gala dinner precedes the tournament proper, dispensing with opening-day ceremonies and the parade of teams. Game agad on opening day.”

The PCBL unfolded last Sunday at Pasig Sports Center with eight participating teams: Sta. Lucia Realty, Supremo Lex Builders, Racal Caida Tiles Master, Foton Toplander, Jumbo Plastic Linoleum, Racal Kama Motors, Euro-Med and Cagayan Rising Suns.

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The amiable Richie Garcia seems to be counting his last months as Chair of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) already.

Garcia’s term is co-terminus with that of incumbent President Aquino, who steps down from office in 2016.

Garcia celebrated his birthday last week, and topping his wish list: To finally see a Filipino athlete win an Olympic gold medal and for lawmakers to revisit Republic Act 6847, or the law which created the PSC on Jan. 24, 1990.

Noting that amendments should be introduced in the law, Garcia said he wishes to see the next PSC Chair enjoy the protection of a fixed term so he can be successful in implementing the PSC programs.

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Sen. Chiz Escudero had long proposed to give the PSC leader a fixed term.

Escudero seems to be the only senator very outspoken in his support for sports and the athletes’ welfare.

A six-year term would allow a PSC Chair to oversee preparations for at least two or three Southeast Asian Games, one or two Asian Games, and one or two Olympics, depending on the cycle of implementation, should amendments be made in the law.

Escudero said the Philippines’ hopes of winning its very first Olympic gold would be achieved by a Filipino athlete whose training would not be interrupted by the political wrangling and movements present even in sports.

Garcia agrees with that.