Manny V. Pangilinan made an appearance during the PBA Press Corps Awards where he served as guest speaker and was acknowledged as the Danny Floro Executive of the Year.
There’s more to basketball than entertainment and business.
That’s one of the things Manny V. Pangilinan reiterated when he received the Danny Floro Executive of the Year award from the PBA Press Corps on Monday, Oct. 13.
“The passion that binds us all here tonight is unique. And that passion goes beyond business,” said the TNT team owner, who was also the PBA Press Corps Awards’ guest speaker.
“It is about pride in the heart. Pride in seeing the Filipino's excel on the court here and internationally, like watching Gilas play in FIBA games abroad.”
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Pangilinan — whose Tropang 5G came two wins away from a PBA Grand Slam in Season 49 — also reminded basketball stakeholders that the sport is a gift that transcends lives.
“Basketball has been kind to all of us. It has built friendships, developed character, and lifted spirits in difficult times and inspired this country,” said MVP.
“And it has provided jobs and livelihood. In moments when our country was divided, basketball has brought us together in one arena.”
Having said that, MVP also encouraged the members of the press to continue chronicling the game Filipinos love “faithfully and fairly.”
“Tonight, as we honor the players and coaches who gave us stories worth telling, let me thank the PBA Press Corps for your devotion to duty, to write faithfully and fairly, to chronicle the triumphs and heartbreaks, but most of all, to narrate the truth,” he said.
“May we all continue to serve the game in sportsmanship and with love for serving Philippine basketball well. May we also enrich the lives of the greatest basketball fans in the world.”
MVP has won the prestigious award three times now, tying Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua and Elmer Yanga of Swift.
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.