MVP sees Olympics pushing through

MANILA, Philippines — PLDT chairman and No. 1 sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan believes the Philippines has a strong chance of striking gold in the Tokyo Olympics should it push through as scheduled in July.

“I think they have a decent and good chance that some of them will win the gold finally and we can only pray,” said Pangilinan during a TV5 interview aired at Cignal TV’s “The Chasedown” yesterday.

“I think it’s good for it (Olympics) to push through because I’ve always held a view that you can’t allow an external force like this (pandemic) to drive your life,” said MVP. “I hope the Olympics will continue. I wish our athletes all the best.”

The man popularly known as MVP is basing his optimism on the country closing in on surpassing the country’s 13-strong delegation to the 2016 Rio Olympics as it now has nine qualifiers with several more expected to earn spots soon.

Those who have secured slots were pole-vaulter EJ Obiena, gymnast Caloy Yulo, boxers Eumir Marcial, Irish Magno, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam, 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist Hidilyn Diaz, rower Cris Nievarez and taekwondo jin Kurt Barbosa.