MVP saddened by Beirut tragedy

MANILA, Philippines — Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan has sent a letter of sympathy to high-ranking FIBA official Hagop Khajirian following the deadly blasts that rocked Beirut last week.

“It was with great sadness when I learned about the most regretful explosion in the Port of Beirut,” said Pangilinan in an emailed message addressed to the FIBA executive director for Asia and chief executive officer of the FIBA Asia secretariat.

Pangilinan, in his second term as member of the FIBA Central Board, said he joins the Lebanese people “in their hour of grief and suffering” and sent them “our (Filipino people) prayers and our thoughts.”

The PLDT and Smart chairman said he hopes Lebanon will emerge from the ashes of the tragic incident witnessed by the entire world.

The FIBA-Asia headquarters in Beirut was one of the many structures damaged by the massive explosions.