SBP OFFICIALS INVITE PRESIDENT-ELECT DUTERTE TO OPENING OF FIBA QUALIFIER IN MANILA, ARE STRUCK BY HIS SIMPLICITY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 May 2016
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officials headed by Executive Director Renauld "Sonny" Barrios say they were struck
by the simplicity and down-to-earth manner of president-elect Rody Duterte.
Barrios paid a courtesy call on Duterte at the Marriott Hotel in Davao and presented him with a personal letter from SBP president Manny Pangilinan inviting the president-elect to attend the opening of the Fiba Asia Olympic Qualifying tournament in Manila in July 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena while while congratulating him on his landslide victory in the recent presidential elections.
Duterte said he likes basketball and would certainly attend if his busy schedule permits. He old Barrios "I will try."
Barrios told The Standard he and the accompanying SBP officials including legal counsel Aga Francisco and regional director Regino "Boy" Cua set aside their polo barongs and changed into polo shirts in keeping with Duterte's simple style.
Barrios said they were all happy to spend some time with the president-elect despite his hectic schedule. He said the meeting was brief and that Duterte immediately wore the Go Pilipinas Jacket given him him and didn't take it off since it fitted him perfectly.
They also presented him with Molten basketballs which will be used during the tournament slated July 5 to 10.
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