New challenge for Vargas

SINCE HE was appointed head of Maynilad weeks ago, I had been very eager to find out how Ricky Vargas was getting along in his new job which, unlike the ones he had previously, is far from being glamorous.
 
Ricky was installed at a time of severe crisis— when there was not enough water to go around  and the  waterless Maynilad residents in depressed areas went berserk and smashed the underground pipes to access water. 
From his posh  PLDT office in Makati which he considers his comfort zone,  Ricky has transferred base to Diliman in Quezon City, just l0 minutes away from his Ayala Heights residence.
The decision to accept the Maynilad post was made more difficult  since Ricky had to leave  PLDT, “a company I enjoyed working for in the last 10 years.”
 “But I am taking on the challenge,” Ricky bravely declared.
 On his very first working day,  the former HRD and bank executive  was tasked  to  address the serious water crisis.   * * *    “I’m still learning and adjusting. But one thing has become very clear to me, my new responsibility brings with it a greater opportunity to serve society.”
“Mawala na ang kuryente at telco,  huwag lang tubig. Water supply is a resource that brings with it a  lifeline to better quality of life.”
Ricky will continue to sit as Abap  president, SBP vice chair and Talk ‘N Text governor in the PBA.
Right now he is in Turkey attending the Fiba World Congress with his boss Manny V. Pangilinan.   * * *   Tonyboy Cojuangco must have some passion for the sport of basketball. Or is it business concerns  that influenced his decision to stay in the Asean Basketball League?
I was a little surprised to learn that Tonyboy was still involved in the ABL as co-owner of the Philippine Patriots, despite having divested himself  of all stakes in ABC-5 Television.
“I sold everything. I have no interest left in ABC-5. Zero,” said Tonyboy,  who has grown his salt and pepper hair long.
Maan Hontiveros, his loyal and efficient  associate,  was introduced as an executive of Air Asia, where  Tonyboy most likely made an investment.
Months ago, the former PBA television coverer  and Mikee Romero were planning to co-venture  in putting up an Air Asia office here in Manila. The plan probably pushed through.
Tonyboy is excited about the ABL’s second season and since he no longer has ties with ABC-5 which used to  telecast the ABL games, he is shopping  around for a new coverer.
 “We might ask Solar to do it,” he said.   * * *   FEU Tamaraws coach Glenn Capacio  is looking a bit haggard these days. It could be from lack of sleep as he plans and maps strategy for the Tamaraws’ last two games before the semifinal round.
“We still have two more games  left. We have to win one more  to secure  the twice-to-beat advantage in the semis. No one can afford to be complacent,” Glenn said.
The Tamaraws lead the pack in the standings. They last won the UAAP championship in 2005 with a team  bannered by Arwind Santos and Jonas Villanueva  with Robert Flores as coach.
A coach will never publicly divulge how he assesses the  strength of his opponents, but I asked  Glenn anyway, which team in the Final Four  he is most wary of.
“Ateneo’” he quickly replied, followed by, “La Salle, Adamson.”
“In that order?” I asked 
“No, lahat ng nasa Final Four mahirap talunin,” he said.
Glenn is assistant coach to Louie Alas in the Philippine Patriots.
Incidentally,  Louie reminded me that Glenn had won the last championship  for Harbour Centre in  the PBL.
“Jorge Gallent won 6 PBL championships for Harbour Center, Glenn won 1.”