Gilas Pilipinas members with SBP head Manny V. Pangilinan. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Top sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan reaffirmed his full support for the Philippine national basketball team even with Chooks-to-go stepping up to sponsor Gilas Pilipinas.
Bounty Agro Ventures Inc., the company that operates Chooks-to-Go, has been the main backer for nationals this past year and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus welcomed the company’s undying support for the program.
“We started the Gilas program back in 2008 to help achieve the Filipino dream of reaching the Olympics and the World Cup,” the executive said. “Years later, we have found a partner that can help expand the program in Chooks-to-Go. This is what sports does to us Filipinos, it brings us together.”
Bounty has been bankrolling Gilas Pilipinas since their partnership started in December 2016. It is also the main sponsor for the team for 2017 Fiba Asia Champions Cup, an Asian club competition.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas is looking to make deep run in the 10-club tourney in Chenzhou, China, which is expected to give the players invaluable experience heading into the Fiba World Cup qualifiers in November.
Even with the Filipino team carrying another brand for the club championships, SMART is still throwing its support behind Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas
“Even if Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas is a club team, we are still one in cheering for the, cheering Laban Pilipinas come tip off,” said SMART sports head Christopher “Epok” Quimpo.
Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas will kick off its Champions Cup campaign against BC Astana on Friday in the tournament that will run from September 22 to 30.