MVP: Of golds, goals and good sports governance

DONNING a gray suit jacket and a casual shirt, businessman, sports patron, and chairman of PLDT Inc. and the MVP Sports Foundation Manuel V. Pangilinan came into the small studio at Cignal TV to have an almost noholds-barred conversation on “Thought Leaders” about his views on how sports, particularly basketball, can play a huge part in nation-building.

The multi-awarded executive has been recognized not only for his business acumen, but also for his contribution to nation-building through his advocacies, particularly in sports development. He serves as a leader in various sports organizations and as the chairman of the MVSPF, which backs 17 national sports agencies and hundreds of Filipino athletes – including those who represented the country in the last Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia.

“I think sports evoke very deep and emotional sentiments on my part, whether it’s collegiate basketball or Gilas Pilipinas. It’s an entirely different feeling when you see the Philippine flag unfurling on the world stage,” Pangilinan said.

He also expressed his delight in the successful stint of the men’s national basketball team in retaking the gold medal in the SEA Games.

“It was a tremendous feeling of relief. And of course, I’m very happy for Gilas and the country. It was a huge job that Gilas did, a magnificent one, especially after the defeat from Cambodia in the first game,” he said, recalling that he was in the middle of work when the game happened. “I was able to catch the first half of the game and had a board meeting after that. But we were monitoring the scores. Everybody cheered when they won,” he shared.

Aside from supporting Gilas and other national teams, the MVP group also supports three basketball teams and two volleyball organizations in professional leagues. In fact, the teams under the TNT Tropang Giga banner won three championships this year: 2023 3x3 Grand Slam Champion, 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Champion, and the inaugural PBA Esports Bakbakan Champion. When asked what the other teams can learn from them, he answered, “At the end, it’s your passion, your determination, and will to win. Of course, you must have the basic talent pool and the level of skills to power you through to the championship.”