MVP makes way for 'younger, more energetic' SBP

MANILA, Philippines -- After almost a decade of leading the united front for Philippine basketball, Manny V. Pangilinan is handing over the reins to a new crop of leaders.

“It’s time to make way for a younger and more energetic crowd,” the 70-year-old said in his last speech as president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas on Monday at the Dusit Hotel in Makati City.

Pangilinan will be no longer be president for the first time in the nine-year history of the SBP. His replacement will be elected in a closed door meeting by the new Board of Trustees.

The 25 members who make up the board are Bernardino Bermudez, Florentino Guillermo Jr., and Crispulo Onrubia for Area 1; Rey Bautista and Virgilio Cortez for Area 2; Ramoncito Fernandez and Benjo Viola for Area 3; Fr. Joseph Haw and Enrico Navarro for Area 4; Stephen Dagoco and Glenn Escandor for Area 5;

Sen. Sonny Angara for Youth; Ronualdo Dizer, Melanie Florentino, Joe Lipa, Xavier Nunag, and Paul Supan for Schools; Ricky Palou, Rep. Roberto Puno, and Jobin Jarvis Uy for Commercial; Eric Arejola, Chito Narvasa, Robert Non, and Al Panlilio for Professional; and Monica Jorge for Women.

Al Panlilio, former vice president of the SBP, is the name widely-assumed to be Pangilinan’s heir apparent. “As I look forward to the future of Philippine basketball, I’d like to lend my voice of support to Al Panlilio,” Pangilinan vouched for Panlilio.

The patron of Philippine basketball will not be moving away from the SBP just yet, however, as he was also awarded the title of chairman emeritus. This, following a board resolution that was unanimously approved.

Still, Pangilinan acknowledged that Philippine basketball has a long ways to go. “There’s more work to be done, more tasks to be accomplished,” he said.

He then continued, talking about the new officers to be elected, “I wish all of them much success with all my heart.”

This article originally appeared on the ABS-CBN Sports website.