FIBA bash expensive, says MVP

MANILA, Philippines — One word crossed Manny V. Pangilinan’s mind when asked how much the hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup would cost the country.

“Expensive,” said the country’s No. 1 sports patron.

Pangilinan was asked to put up a price tag on the hosting of the event during a luncheon that was also attended by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas brass headed by Al Panlilio, Rep. Robbie Puno, Sonny Barrios and Ricky Vargas.

“The first word that came to my mind was expensive,” said Pangilinan.

“But I don’t think it is right to be precise about the numbers. I cannot put a price tag on this thing. But FIBA is happy with our bid. That’s as much as I can say,” he said.

But it will cost at least a billion pesos.

Cayetano is as clueless.

“I also don’t know how much. But if it’s a million pesos then we must also look at it as a million opportunities. It’s the opportunity,” he said.

Cayetano praised MVP for the job well done in securing the hosting after a failed bid in 2015.

“No wonder your name is MVP because you also did the Most Valuable Presentation, and now you will make the Most Valuable Philippines in 2023,” he said.

Now, that’s priceless.