MANILA, Philippines — There were several highlights in PBA/ABAP chairman, SBP vice president and World Boxing Executive Board member Ricky Vargas’ journey in sports last year. As PBA chairman, Vargas steered the pro league to register a record net income of over P200 million and an average TV audience of four million a game. In his sixth year at the PBA helm, Vargas oversaw the partnership with EASL, launch of the first-ever offseason “OnTour” series, staging of the PBA draft with a record 124 applicants and 79 picks in 11 rounds and emergence of three different champions in three conferences last season.
As ABAP chairman, Vargas was on top of the campaign that delivered four golds, five silvers and a bronze in boxing at the SEA Games last May and a silver at the Asian Games last October. Eumir Marcial booked a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics with his silver in the 80kg division. Last November, Vargas was elected to the World Boxing Executive Board as the only Asian during the 27-nation federation’s inaugural congress in Frankfurt. He was the second highest vote-getter among nine candidates for four Executive Board member slots.
As SBP vice president, Vargas played a key role in collaborating with SBP president Al Panlilio to host the FIBA World Cup in the country. The Philippines set a new single-game attendance record of 38,115 and Gilas beat China for a ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia in July. The SBP also paved the way for Caloy Loyzaga’s induction into the FIBA Hall of Fame as the first Filipino player ever to be enshrined. The year also celebrated Gilas’ golds in the SEA and Asian Games.
But of all the highlights, Vargas said Gilas’ display of heart and fighting spirit at the Asian Games was the ultimate. “If I were to choose only one, my most memorable 2023 in sports was being part of the leadership team and being present when we won the Asian Games men’s basketball gold in Hangzhou,” he said. “We weren’t afraid to lose and take the blame if we did. The players all wanted to play for our country and that they did, with courage and grit.”
Vargas said 2023 was a great year for Philippine sports. “Other than that, professionally, it was the most difficult year for me in my career managing leadership issues,” he said. Despite the challenges and tough odds that made 2023 a struggle, Philippine sports wrote an inspiring story that will be told for years to come.