WITH the Philippines’ hosting of the 2023 FIBA World closing in, some of the best and brightest minds in business and basketball—led by First Pacific Company Limited managing director and CEO Manny V. Pangilinan, and San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer, Ramon S. Ang—have met to discuss what they can do together to ensure the Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign is a success.

With the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and the Gilas still reeling from the silver-medal finish in the recent 31st Southeast Asian Games in Vietnam, Ang and MVP met in a closed-door meeting along with SBP president Al S. Panlilio, PBA chairman Ricky Vargas, and SMC sports director and Barangay Ginebra governor Alfrancis Chua.

And although details about this rare meeting between the two business and basketball rivals were scant, a report from Spin.ph confirmed that the formation of the Gilas Pilipinas men’s national basketball team that will compete in World Cup was broached.

"Focused on how we can form the most competitive national team for the World Cup," Panlilio was quoted as saying in the report.