OUTGOING Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Manuel V. Pangilinan (MVP) wants continuity with the SBP programs, the reason he’s hopeful that his trusted man, Al Panlilio, will get the top post when the country’s basketball federation holds the election tentatively on August 8.
SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios said Panlilio is Pangilinan’s top choice, but will respect the decision of the SBP executive board if the former fails to get the nod of the group.
“The election will be very important. Mr. Pangilinan wants Panlilio, but it’s just a preference. MVP will respect the decision of the congress,” Barrios said.
A new set of SBP officers will be elected during the election and Barrios admitted that the election will be crucial on the fate of the organization, which Pangilinan ruled since 2007.
Groomed as Pangilinan’s successor is Panlilio, who played an active role when the country hosted the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Olympic Qualifying Tournament earlier this month.
Barrios said that Pangilinan, owner of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) franchises Talk ’N Text, Meralco and NLEX Road Warriors, preferred Panlilio to succeed him in the election where 13 new board members will be named under the SBP constitution, while 12 holdovers can be reelected or seek a higher position.
With a new competition format for the 2019 Fiba World Cup, Barrios said it is important for the new SBP administration to tackle the matter as soon as possible, although he’s confident that the election can produce the qualified person for the position.
“Hindi po tayo natatakot dahil we have enough sports leaders and basketball minds,” said Barrios, adding that Pangilinan has been named the chairman emeritus of the SBP.
“He can attend board meetings kasi importante na andun siya para nasusundan niya ‘yung activities,” he added.
Under the tutelage of Pangilinan, the country returned to the World Cup in 2014 in Spain for the first time in 40 years and won silver medals in the 2013 and 2015 Fiba Asia Championships.
The team, known as Gilas Pilipinas, also won several gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games and a title in the 2012 William Jones Cup in Taiwan.