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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider SMC, SBP forge historic partnership for World Cup hosting

SMC, SBP forge historic partnership for World Cup hosting

Published Apr 25, 2023 09:30 am
Figuring in countless battles inside the court, the San Miguel Corporation and the MVP Group found themselves working hand-in-hand for a greater cause this time around.

*Left to right. FIBA WC Deputy Event Director Erika Dy, SBP President Al Panlilio, SMC Sports Director Alfrancis Chua, 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Executive Director David Crocker, MediaQuest & Cignal TV President & CEO Jane Basas, and JMC Philippines Head of Operations John Lucas

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SMC and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officially forged a historic partnership for the hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup in an event at the Makati Diamond Residences on Tuesday, April 25. SMC sports director Al Francis Chua and the SBP president Al Panlilio led the official signing of the partnership along with FIBA World Cup executive director David Crocker, deputy event director Erika Dy, CignalTV president and CEO Jane Basas and JMC Philippines head John Lucas. Chua said it wasn’t a hard decision for SMC to engage with the venture with no less than its top honcho Ramon S. Ang giving the full blessing to the partnership that is not only seen as a rare collaboration between the two biggest conglomerates in the country but also as a huge step forward for the growth of Philippine basketball. “Boss RSA loves basketball, 'di niyo nakikita sa game but he loves basketball so much. So when he was asked, Boss RSA, he said yes right away,” said Chua who is also the concurrent Gilas executive advisor. “Bihira rin mangyari na nag-join ang San Miguel at MVP Group and that’s for me is a very big step so sa lahat ng mga Pilipino, suportahan niyo kami,” he added. Silently supporting the national team from the shadows in the past years, SMC took a step forward in providing anything the SBP will need to ensure a successful staging of the world meet in August. “What they need, we’ll support kung ano napagusapan namin nandyan kami sa likod to support, iyon ang bilin sa akin. I’m so happy. This is the first time that I'm gonna work with my tukayo (Panililio), he’s my close friend. I'm excited, really,” said Chua. For Panlilio’s part, the partnership was proof that the two conglomerates, although rivals inside the court, share the same vision in sports. “We do have shared vision in sports, unity and camaraderie through basketball. As Erika (Dy) said, major corporations supporting the World Cup would ensure success for us in terms of hosting. And this collaboration has been much appreciated,” said Panlilio. As it stands, the Philippines will be hosting two groups in the preliminary rounds with Gilas playing at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Team USA at the Mall of Asia Arena, while the knockout rounds of the tournament will be held at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

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FIBA World Cup Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas San Miguel Corporation
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