Pangilinan urges continuity as SBP names new officers

Manny V. Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo

Outgoing Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan urged the incoming set of officers to continue the programs his administration has started and grow from there.

“I hope that the new set of officers will continue to pursue the Gilas program and its participation in the 2019 Fiba World Cup in China and 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. It will be excellent to see our national teams participate in those two events,” Pangilinan said on Monday during the SBP’s National Congress and Elections at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

But it’s not just on the men’s basketball level, as Pangilinan made it clear that the whole Philippine basketball landscape should be focused upon touching on the grassroots development and 3-on-3 programs.

Under the leadership of Pangilinan, the Philippines improved leaps and bounds. Currently, the country is now ranked 28th in the world.

The country’s development, though, is not just attributed to the success of the Gilas Pilipinas in the international competitions, but also to the other national squads like the youth and women’s teams. That has not gone unnoticed by Fiba, as Pangilinan said that the international governing body for basketball has lauded the country numerous times before.

“One of the things that Fiba holds us on and really appreciates about the SBP is the integrity and professionalism we conduct our affairs at, and with that, I would encourage you that those practices to be maintained, because you are dealing really for the SBP with the international (community).”

Though it pains him to walk away from the SBP, Pangilinan made it clear that he has to follow the rules, the same guidelines the inaugural group ratified during the association’s formation back in 2007.

“The standards must be kept and satisfied. So rules are rules,” he said. “I was present at the creation and had a hand in handcrafting the articles and by-laws of the SBP. They may be subject to changes as circumstances warrant, but still I feel the principle of term limit should be respected despite encouragement to make me stay.”

“Let me close by encouraging continued unity among stakeholders here and my encouragement to the new board is to continue pursuing the Gilas program and our participation in international events in the 2019 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics.”

Pangilinan will now take the position of SBP’s new Chairman Emeritus as he vowed to continue supporting the national basketball program.