No turning back for MVP’s resignation

Despite overwhelming support from the Ateneo board, businessman/sportsman Manny V. Pangilinan said he won’t change his mind of leaving his beloved alma mater in order to help the country win its first Olympic gold medal. Pangilinan said he would focus more to help other sport disciplines, like boxing and basketball. Boxing is one sport the Philippines has a strong chance of winning that elusive Olympic gold medal while the Smart-Gilas Pilipinas developmental squad is hoping to earn a semi-final stint in the Guangzhou Asian Games. “That’s the reason why we’re late, it’s because I crafted my irrevocable letter of resignation. My decision is final and there’s no looking back," said Pangilinan, who came in a few minutes late after writing his irrevocable resignation to the board. “Bugbog (ako). Masakit. Mahal ko ang Ateneo, pero ganyang talaga ang buhay (I’m beaten up. It hurts to leave my alma mater. I love Ateneo but that’s the way life goes)."
For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV While he said that there’s no turning back on his decision, his support to the basketball teams of Ateneo and San Beda will continue. “I’m going to talk with coach Norman (Black) and Paolo Trillo regarding the team and see how can I help," said Pangilinan. Black is the coach of the Eagles, who won back-to-back championships in 2008 and 2009 and is also serving as consultant for Pangilinan’s PBA team, the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters. Pangilinan’s controversial speech during Ateneo’s graduation ceremony, two weeks ago, fueled his resignation. Parts of Pangilinan’s speech were taken from US President Barack Obama, Harry Potter author JK Rowling, and television hosts Oprah Winfrey and Conan O’Brien. The Smart chief executive and head of Metro Pacific added that he just attended another graduation ceremony in Far Eastern University and this time was very cautious with his speech. “I was so nervous during my speech because I know every word would be scrutinized. Before completing my speech, I made it a point to e-mail my friends if the contents were OK. I just want to make sure everything will work well," said Pangilinan. “In 1998, I experienced a crash while on board a chopper. Several days ago, I suffered another crash, but I know I can get up and move on," he added. Quest for Olympic gold, a top priority The Philippines was so close in capturing the Olympic gold twice. In 1964, Anthony Villanueva grabbed a silver medal in the Tokyo Games and the country was hoping the elusive price will soon fall on its lap.

Three decades later in Atlanta, a young boxer named Mansueto “Onyok" Velasco tried to become the first Pinoy boxer to win an Olympic gold but fell short when he lost a controversial decision to Daniel Petrov of Bulgaria. The Amateur Boxing of the Philippines (ABAP), being chaired by the man known as MVP, is doing everything it can in giving the proper exposure and training to its athletes, thus winning an Olympic gold, Pangilinan said, is close at hand. “That’s our objective right now, to win an Olympic gold," said Pangilinan. “We had boxers doing well in the world championships and I know we have a better chance of winning in the London Games in 2012." Big boost to basketball Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country’s governing cage body, which is also headed by Pangilinan, received a big news when the – Basketball Association of the Philippines’ appeal to Court of Arbitration in Sports was turned down. This means that the SBP can now fully function as the duly recognized National Sports Association (NSA) in the country. The SBP and the BAP were in a tug-of-war for several years now. The worse case happened in 2005 when the country was suspended indefinitely by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) preventing the Philippines from participating in all FIBA-sanctioned events including the Southeast Asia Basketball Association (SEABA), Southeast Asian Games, Asian Games and FIBA Asia Championships. But all things were settled now with the new CAS ruling, upholding the leadership of Pangilinan’s group. The decision proved to be a big boost for the Smart-Gilas national developmental pool coached by Rajko Toroman. The team is in preparing for the Asian Games, FIBA Asia qualifying event, the SEABA and the Asian Games. Pangilinan said his main target is for the team to finish among the top four in the Asian Games as they go up against the Yao Ming-led Team China and the powerhouse squads from the Middle East. – Rey Joble, GMANews.TV