MANILA, Philippines - Businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan, the man responsible for Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA Asia Championship silver medal feat, shares center stage with the nation’s cage heroes as the Executive of the Year during the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Annual Awards Night on Jan. 25 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.
As head of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Pangilinan spearheaded a memorable season that saw the sport flourished even more among hoops-crazy Filipinos.
The highlight of it all was the country’s return to the world championship after a long 35 years of waiting following the surprise runner-up finish in the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship by Gilas Pilipinas, a team whose buildup, preparation, and training overseas were all bankrolled by the man they simply called “MVP.â€
It was also through Pangilinan’s relentless prodding and campaigning that the qualifier to the FIBA-World Cup in Spain was finally held here again 40 years since the Philippines last hosted the prestigious meet in 1973.
“We can’t think of any other persons worthy of the Executive of the Year award than Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan himself,†said PSA president Jun Lomibao of the Business Mirror.
Pangilinan, chairman of the Philippine Long Distance Company/Smart and TV5, is only the fourth esteemed personality who will be honored with the award during the formal gathering presented by Milo with Air21 as major sponsor with Smart Sports, Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Basketball Association, Accel at3XVI, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp., Globalport, Air21, Rain or Shine, ICTSI-Philippine Golf Tour, and Senator Chiz Escudero as chief backers.