SBP boosts gov’t ties with appointment of lawmakers to key posts

Newly elected SBP officers. Photo by Randolph Leongson/INQUIRER.net

New Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman Sen. Sonny Angara believes that the association’s ties with the government will be strengthened following the appointment of elected officials to vital positions in the NSA.

“Nakita naman natin na kahit papaano, may konting support naman ng gobyerno sa largely private efforts of the SBP. So hopefully, yung partnership na yun, ma-grow natin,” he said on Monday after the SBP’s National Congress and elections at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati.

The senator succeeded Gov. Oscar Moreno for the position of chairman, while Rep. Robbie Puno was chosen vice chairman following the footsteps of Ricky Vargas.

The two lawmakers are working to help in the naturalization of players like Marcus Douthit and Andray Blatche.

They were a part of the delegation which helped in the Philippines’ bid for the 2019 Fiba World Cup hosting.

Angara and Puno will be working with new SBP president Al Panlilio in leading the association move forward.

Angara is optimistic that the union will be better suited to address the needs of the sport with a bigger participation from the government.

“Hopefully, we’ll be working with other government agencies also,” he said./rga