MVPSF hopes to achieve dream in Rio

MANILA, Philippines – Boxers Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez, taekwondo jin Kirstie Elaine Alora and golfer Miguel Tabuena are four bets chasing Olympic dreams with tremendous support from the MVP Sports Foundation Inc.

Having poured in over P.5 billion in various sports development programs since its inception in 2011, the MVPSF is hopeful they’ve done its part to help the Philippines hit pay dirt in the 2016 Olympics.

Ladon and Suarez could well be Team Phl’s brightest bets in the Rio Games, both from boxing which is among the priority sports identified by the MVPSF along with basketball, badminton, cycling, football, golf, triathlon and taekwondo.

The MVP Group of Companies of businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan launched the foundation in 2011, not just to help the elite programs but the grassroots development, as well, of the eight sports.

From the beginning, Pangilinan and the other members of the board of trustees believed these sports, given the needed support, would deliver.

“More than anything, we believe in the Filipino and the capability to be great whether in sports or in business,” said Al Panlilio, president of the MVPSF which has Pangilinan as chairman and Ricky Vargas, Orlando Vea, Patrick Gregorio as the other trustees.

“We believe that sports is not just important in nation-building, but also a ticket for the youth to have better lives and make a difference for the country,” Panlilio also said.

“Sports, to me, is more than just playing games. It is also a powerful catalyst for change. It motivates each one of us to become a better person. It gives us the courage to surmount challenges and can even offer escape from poverty and the answer to our desire to lead better lives,” said Pangilinan.

“Here’s a perfect opportunity, a perfect vehicle, to further help Philippine sports, while at the same time encourage everyone to live like a winner by leading a more active and healthier lifestyle,” Pangilinan also said.

Filipinos felt like a winner as the Philippines, with resources from the MVPSF, made a strong, competitive bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup. It lost to China but made good impression with its hosting capability in the recent FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament at the MOA Arena.

Even with Gilas Pilipinas failing to make it past the elims play, the Manila FIBA OQT drew huge crowd in the semifinals and in the finale – a success for the local organizing group headed by Panlilio.

And even with Gilas Pilipinas staying in Olympic limbo, the foundation is not to turn its back on Philippine basketball. Panlilio could well be the next SBP president, succeeding Pangilinan.

The foundation has set specific goals for each of the eight sports it is supporting.

The goals are be the Asian champion in basketball, an Olympic gold for boxing and taekwondo, a Filipino qualifying in the Tour de France for cycling, to be No. 1 in Southeast Asia in tennis, and to be in the top three in Southeast Asia in badminton and football.

Ladon and Suarez have the chance to achieve the dream in Rio.