Sportsmen say new airport a sports boost

The collective groan by the country after barely losing out in a gallant effort to host the basketball World Cup last year made it clear that it will take more than heart and passion to fly major international events here.

And San Miguel Corp.’s Manila International Airport in Bulacan province may just provide the answer.

“It will definitely be a big help for sports,” said former PBA player and now MPBL coach Jonas Villanueva, a Bulacan native. “We already have the biggest sports venue in Philippine Arena. With the new airport, we can now host any major local and even international sporting event.”

“Even fans from abroad could come here to watch major sports events. It will make us Filipinos very proud,” San Miguel Beer veteran Billy Mamaril said.

Magnolia coach Chito Victolero, meanwhile, said the P734-billion airport could spur the building of more sports infrastructure in the area.

“We could end up building gyms and coliseums and other sports facilities that will encourage more sports programs, especially basketball,” Victolero said in Filipino.