Successful Fiba Asia hosting ‘won’t be possible without PBA’—MVP

Manny V. Pangilinan. FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan expressed his gratitude towards PBA Commissioner Chito Salud following the league’s recent moves in boosting the national team’s preparations for the coming Fiba Asia Championship this August.

In a letter addressed to Salud, Pangilinan, also the head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), acknowledged the participation of the PBA and said that “the successful hosting will not be possible” without the league’s help.

“It is indeed an honor for the Philippines to host the Fiba Asia Championship this August, hopefully providing the setting for our country to capture another regional basketball crown – 40 years after we did, in the Asian Basketball Confederation Championship in 1973.  It is time for this,” said Pangilinan.

Just recently, the PBA agreed to lend players to beef up Smart Gilas Pilipinas before postponing its third conference to a later date and extending the current Commissioner’s Cup to make way for the Nationals.

“Accordingly, our sincerest thanks go to the team owners – Ramon Ang of Petron, San Mig Coffee and Ginebra; Wilfred Uytengsu of Alaska; Mikee Romero of Globalport; Bert Lina of Air21; George Chua of Barako Bulls, and Terry Que and Raymond Yu of Rain or Shine,” Pangilinan added. “We also thank the PBA Board of Governors and the Commissioner for their support.”

“On our part, the SBP commits all available resources to attain the success of Fiba Asia Championship, and the victory of Smart Gilas Pilipinas.” “It is heartening to say that the basketball community has answered not only the call of the sport but, more importantly, the call of the country.”