Manny V. Pangilinan: Man behind Gilas Pilipinas success

Nationals show character in FIBAWC drive

MANILA, Philippines — Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said Gilas Pilipinas’ success in the just concluded FIBA World Cup qualifier was a testament to the character of the Filipinos.

“The road to this year’s World Cup qualifiers was not at all easy. The narrative behind our success was a living proof to everyone that we Filipinos really thrive on adversity, and we simply don’t give up,” said Panlilio.

“We were challenged all throughout this campaign and yet, we still made it. Talagang ipinakita natin ang tatag ng Filipino. Laban hanggang dulo, para sa bayan,” Panlilio added.

Gilas found itself in a precarious spot after a slide in the next two FIBAWC windows following the Gilas-Australia brawl at the Philippine Arena.

To make the WC proper, Team Phl needed to sweep two crucial games away from home, taking taxing travels and facing extreme weather conditions in Astana, Kazakhstan. But coach Yeng Guiao and his troops did it, and thus assured three straight World Cup stints for the Philippines. A third world joust is the event that the country hosts in 2023.

Panlilio refused to take credit, deflecting it to telecommunications mogul Manny V. Pangilinan whom he acknowledged as “the man behind the triumph of Philippine basketball.”

The SBP president said Pangilinan himself didn’t waver in his faith when things became shaky.

Pangilinan has been at the forefront of the changes in Philippine basketball since his election as SBP chief in 2007, and even when he stepped down a couple of years ago.

“It was really MVP’s vision that brought Philippine basketball back to where it is now,” said Panlilio. “He started with a clear vision and executed it to near perfection. He led the way, and we followed.”

Panlilio pointed to the times when Pangilinan had to travel several times to FIBA when the Philippines got suspended by the federation due to bickering and politics. Pangilinan stepped in and led the unification of two warring factions, thus the formation of the SBP.

“MVP gave it due importance because he felt the need to bring back glory to basketball and effectively unite the Philippines through what people feel is the country’s national sport,” said Panlilio.

As head of the SBP, Pangilinan started to bankroll the basketball program in 2009 with the creation of the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas. He was also behind the Gilas 2.0 that won the silver medal during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship that earned the country its first World Cup spot in 42 years.

And Pangilinan was again behind the bid of Gilas in this year’s FIBA World Cup qualifying games.