SBP, PBA salute RSA, MVP, Chua, Marcial

MANILA, Philippines — For the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), Gilas Pilipinas’ gold-medal feat in the Hangzhou Asian Games wouldn’t be possible without the labor of love of passionate individuals who committed fully to the cause.

As such, the country’s national federation and pro league jointly commended everyone involved in this tough climb to the top – from the Nationals themselves to team manager Alfrancis Chua, deputy team manager Willie Marcial and principal backers Manny V. Pangilinan of the MVP Group and Ramon S. Ang of San Miguel Corp.

“The SBP and the PBA are celebrating with immense pride and joy the historic moment brought about by the landmark championship won by the Gilas Pilipinas men’s team at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China,” they said in a statement.

The two hoops bodies issued joint board resolutions lauding Ginebra governor Chua and PBA commissioner Marcial for their “outstanding hands-on management skills in providing the proper motivation and daily inspiration to the team.”

This, they said, ultimately resulted in “winning the gold for the nation and millions of basketball-loving Filipino fans after more than six decades.”

The SBP and the PBA also recognized tycoons Pangilinan and Ang for their “unqualified all-out support” that helped the hastily-formed team buck tremendous odds.

They said it was the individual and combined passion for the upliftment of Philippine basketball of MVP and RSA, as the big bosses are known, that “motivated the entire Gilas team to aim high and never say die.”

Lastly, the SBP and the PBA gave well-deserved acclaim to coach Tim Cone, the players and the rest of the team “for this remarkable triumph, which will leave an indelible mark in the annals of Philippine sports history.”

Gilas delivered basketball-crazy Philippines its first Asian Games crown since 1962.