WINNING a fourth straight title in the PBA D-League has yet to really sink in for NLEX team owner Manny Pangilinan and yet, he’s already thinking about clinching a fifth one.
And that, for him, will be truly special.
“In two weeks’ time another competition will begin, and if we have five, that will be much special,” said the amiable sportsman/businessman shortly after the Road Warriors completed a two-game sweep of the Cagayan Valley Rising Suns to win the Aspirants Cup championship on Tuesday.
It’s not that this latest trophy, which preserved NLEX’s stature as the only team to win a championship in the D-League, is something the man they call MVP doesn’t cherish.
“It’s especially sweet. Having four consecutive (championships) is better than three or two,” said the sports patron moments of the Road Warriors’ 82-71 win over the Rising Suns at The Arena in San Juan.
Pangilinan knows the road to a four-peat isn't as easy as NLEX made it look.
“Siguro suwerte lang, pero syempre lahat sila worked hard, and (made) a lot of preparations. Mahirap din ang pinag-daanan nila going here (sa championship),” he said.
Truth to tell, Pangilinan wasn’t expecting anything.
“I have not sensed it kung mananalo or matatalo. Basta I know that they will try their best," the PLDT chairman said when asked what his thoughts were for Game Two the moment he woke up on Tuesday morning.
“It’s better if they close it today (Tuesday). But if not, there's always Game Three to bounce back (and) that's what I had in mind kanina,” he added.
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