By REYNALD MAGALLON
The cooperation between the two biggest basketball powers in the country – the MVP group and the San Miguel Corporation – has been extended to the Gilas Pilipinas’ participation in the Asian Games.
Initially, joining hands to ensure the success of the 2023 FIBA World Cup hosting as well as the formation of a competitive team for the global showpiece, SMC CEO Ramon S. Ang and MVP group top honcho Manny V. Pangilinan gave the full backing to the Nationals who will be coached by Barangay Ginebra mentor Tim Cone.
In fact, the SMC group, which holds a bevy of the Filipino basketball talents under its three teams San Miguel, Ginebra and Magnolia in the PBA, is now taking a more active role in the formation of the roster for the Asiad with its sports director Alfrancis Chua now also serving as Gilas team manager.
“My boss and boss MVP, they are partners. Ang maganda dito, ‘yung dalawang big boss, nakasuporta. Kahit sinong player na available, makukuha namin,” said Chua during the joint press conference of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and PBA on Thursday, Sept. 7 at the league office in Libis.
PBA chairman Ricky Vargas insisted that the partnership between the two conglomerates signifies that Gilas Pilipinas is not about who is running the show but rather the willingness of the top basketball executives to unite under the Philippine flag.
“This is the Philippine team. It’s not San Miguel or Talk N’ Text, they are enablers we’re happy to have enablers who can help us put this team together but this is the Filipino team,” stressed Vargas.
“This game is for everyone that loves basketball so all we are asking is for everybody who loves basketball to support this team not just by winning but also recognizing the efforts that have been done so far,” he added.
Gilas is in a race against time when it comes to the formation of the national team with June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson and Justin Brownlee the only sure fire picks in the Final 12.
Chua said that they are still talking to the players Cone handpicked and wished to be included in the roster, hoping to get some definite answers before Gilas hits the ground running on Monday, Sept. 11 in a closed door training at the Inspire Gym in Laguna.
