MVP wants more tournaments here

MANILA—The staging of the Fiba-Asia Champions Cup in the Philippines could just be the start of a string of top-caliber international basketball tournaments hosted by the country.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan Friday night expressed his desire to have more tournaments in the Philippines to boost the country’s stock in Asia.

“That’s our hope,” Pangilinan said when asked on the thought of staging more tournaments in the Philippines.

“This is good for Filipino basketball players and fans to be exposed in these tournaments. But its up to Fiba Asia.”

Pangilinan made the statement during the welcome dinner for participating teams in the Champions Cup at the Meralco Multi-Purpose Gym.

The tournament, Pangilinan said, augurs well for the country’s preparations for the Fiba-Asia Championship in Wuhan, China, where the Smart Gilas Pilipinas National Team will be looking to qualify for the London, Olympics next year.

The Smart Gilas program started in late 2008, a few months into Pangilinan’s term as SBP president.

“We just wish that they perform to their best,” said Pangilinan of the squad bannered by former collegiate standouts and naturalized player Marcus Douthit.