Manny V. Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo
Bringing the Olympic Qualifying Tournament to our shores definitely didn’t come cheap.
And Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman and president Manny V. Pangilinan on Tuesday gave a general sum on the price he had to dole out to stage the Manila qualifiers.
“Rounding off, about north of P200 million,” Pangilinan said during the Fiba Olympic Qualifying Tournament press conference at the Conservatory at Manila Peninsula Hotel in Makati. “That’s how much we love this country.”
SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas added that it has been a grueling road for the organization to make the hosting possible.
“It’s been a long journey and this journey costs a lot of money.It’s not only difficult physically, but also in the pockets of boss MVP. That’s been a very generous journey for us and we did not stop in just bidding. The effort was the same as the one we put in the World Cup bid,” Vargas said.
Pangilinan’s dream of seeing the Philippine team back to the Olympics, SBP vice president Al Panlilio said, has never waned. And his desire to win the hosting rights here was a testament to it, which not only benefits Gilas but also the country as a whole.
“Our president and chairman never stopped dreaming that we can get in the Olympics. Our collective vision was built on hosting an event of national significance,” he said. “This is a world-class event and I hope that it showcases the Philippines as a major event holder. We can show FIBA that we can host a very good event, and in that line, we have eight committees tasked to deliver a festival-type event to remember.”
For Pangilinan, he wants Gilas Pilipinas to be at its best — personnel wise and readiness as it goes for a lone Olympic slot in July.
“I’m very pragmatic,” he said. “I think we have a very good chance of winning the tournament, but we have to send the best team possible, the crowd has to be there, and it’s a unique opportunity for the Philippines to get a chance to make it to the Olympics.”
Getting Gilas to Rio is just one of Pangilinan’s dreams.
The other?
“I’d like to see the day the Philippines play the US,” he said.