ALLAN THE MAN

Another Philippine national team has made the basketball-crazy country proud once more, after the youth squad entered the gold medal match of the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship in Iran.

The team booked a ticket to the FIBA Under-17 World Championship in Dubai next year, marking a banner year for the Philippine basketball after Gilas Pilipinas earlier qualified for the Basketball World Cup last August.

For Manuel V. Pangilinan, the president of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the success of the team is a testament to the effectiveness of the country’s basketball programs.

“It’s a thorough improvement in the way we’re doing our basketball because it’s a great achievement so far for them,” Pangilinan told InterAKTV in an exclusive interview.

The telecommunications mogul is planning to follow the exploits of the team online when it goes up against China for the title.

“Sana manalo sila. We’re praying for them,” he said.

Pangilinan was instrumental for the team, providing funding through his MVP Sports Foundation. The squad’s coach, Jamike Jarin, also serves as an assistant in the coaching staff of Pangilinan’s Talk ‘N Text squad in the PBA.

Whether the youth team wins or loses against China, Pangilinan has already prepared a reward for the team as a token of gratitude through MVP Sports Foundation president Al Panlilio.

“Nasabi na namin kay Al kagabi. Ang sabi ko we should give them incentive.

He already announced it to the team and natutuwa naman ang mga bata,” said Pangilinan.

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