Panlilio admits having ‘very big’ shoes to fill as SBP president

MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio speaks during a press conference at Novotel Manila Araneta Center in Cubao. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Al Panlilio acknowledged the challenge that lies in succeeding longtime basketball patron Manny V. Pangilinan as newly-elected president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

“After sir MVP, it’s really a very big shoes to fill,” Panlilio said.

Panlilio was named SBP president on Tuesday afternoon when the new Board of Trustees convened for the first time following the National Congress at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

Along with Panlilio, senator Sonny Angara was elected as the new chairman, Rep. Robbie Puno as the new vice chairman, and Ricky Palou as the new treasurer.

The executive vice president of Meralco made it clear that he will continue the programs done under the Pangilinan administration.

“The programs are sold and remains to be intact. We’ll push on with it,” he said.

Aside from the men’s national team, one of the main points Panlilio wants to focus on is the grassroots development and the 3×3 program, matters which Pangilinan hopes to be further improved.

“We’ll also continue communicating with our regional directors to implement the programs we want and have put in place,” he said.

The main key in this new era for the SBP, though, is to keep up with the changing times as the Philippines seeks to continue competing at a high level despite Fiba’s shift in competition schedule.

“The task for us is developing Philippine basketball not just internationally, but also locally,” he said.