MVP in Sacramento, fans ‘buyout’ rumor

BUSINESSMAN-SPORTSMAN Manny Pangilinan is scheduled to meet with Sacramento Mayor and former NBA star Kevin Johnson, in the wake of reports that he may be interested in the Sacramento Kings franchise.

The Inquirer learned that Pangilinan left for California on Thursday along with top executives Ricky Vargas, Al Panlilio and Pato Gregorio, as well as coaches Chot Reyes of Talk ‘N Text and Ryan Gregorio of Meralco.

Reyes said Pangilinan and his group “would take an opportunity to meet with the NBA people, including even the commissioner (David Stern) himself and the NBA director for operations.”

Reyes made it clear that should Pangilinan meet with Stern it would merely give him “a chance to talk, not really about the Sacramento Kings, but maybe the commissioner just wants to know who Pangilinan is.”

Earlier reports said that a Filipino marketing specialist from Cincinnati and an American financial analyst were negotiating for Pangalinan’s group to take over control of the struggling Sacramento Kings.

The Maloof family owns 80 percent of the franchise.

The report said Johnson was aware of the discussions between the two brokers and Pangilinan.