MVP: Man of the hour for Philippine sports

MANILA, Philippines - After being barraged by so many questions this week on Olympic matters, especially our forthcoming elections, I’d like to set some records straight.

Our POC spokesman was right in stressing the fact that we indeed need fresh faces to revive the glory of Philippine sports. That Manuel V. Pangilinan could lead the POC by being president or chairman of the Board. But it’s not for anyone to offer, especially the POC spokesman, but for the POC general assembly, through a genuine election. Not even a consensus.

Which also means MVP can replace either the POC president Peping Cojuangco or yours truly, as the POC chairman.

Herein lies the problem. More than a year ago, knowing his love and passion for RP sports, and after consultation with my peers, I humbly offered my position personally to my good friend, Mr. MVP, and twice, he turned me down with a charismatic smile, “Thanks Cong, but I just want to help.”

Then Mr. Peping Cojuangco recently went to see him twice personally and the answer was simply the same, “Thanks, but Monico is my FRIEND.”

After four years, we shall have our POC election again very soon. May I be given the privilege to inform everyone that I am gladly willing to give up my post as chairman to either Mr. Peping Cojuangco or MVP. One term is enough for me, if this can be one of the leadership solutions.

This is not a new move on my part. This humble representation is the same one who nominated MVP in Tokyo, Japan, several years ago at the height of the BAP Leadership controversy as POC representative then, to join the three-man committee to solve the problem together with Mr. Joey Lina and eventually became the SBP president today. I don’t regret that decision until this day. One reason why we won the Jones Cup recently in Taipei, and restored our credibility with FIBA under his leadership years ago, among others.

Problem is MVP likes to ran things his way. Hands on. That’s why he’s MVP. Your call, my Atenean friend.