By Mario Casayuran
Senator Juan Edgardo Angara, a member of the Senate majority bloc, on Saturday lauded his fellow officers at the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for taking the lead in hosting the 2018 FIBA 3x3 World Cup from June 8 to 12 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, which would again showcase the Filipinos deep love of basketball.
Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Angara
(Facebook / MANILA BULLETIN)
Angara expressed gratitude to SBP president Al Panlilio, SBP chair emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and the rest of the SBP organization for making this annual world event possible in the country.
“I would like to congratulate SBP for taking the lead in hosting this year’s FIBA 3x3 World Cup. It underscores not only the Filipinos’ passion for basketball, but also our capacity to host such an event,” he said.
Angara is the SBP chairman who has earned the monicker “Sports Senator” for carrying the causes aimed at uplifting the sports community in the country.
San Miguel Beermen’s Christian Standhardinger, TNT KaTropa’s Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy, and GlobalPort Batang Pier’s Stanley Pringle team up to represent the 19th-seeded Philippines.
The Philippine team is clustered with Brazil, Canada, Mongolia and Russia in Group C.
“I’m sending all my best wishes to the Philippine team which is representing our country. Let us show the world the true spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship,” Angara said.