SEVILLE, SPAIN — Gilas Pilipinas players are coming home with their hearts filled with pride after a historic campaign in the 2014 Fiba World Cup when the Philippines won for the first time in 40 years.
A big bonus from their chief benefactor also awaited them.
Cheers rang out inside a trendy restaurant in the heart of this city on Thursday night (Friday morning, Manila time) after Gilas patron Manny V. Pangilinan announced that the promised bonanza for a first victory in the Fiba World Cup is on its way.
[See Filipino fiesta in Seville as Gilas puts fitting end to Fiba World Cup campaign]
"In respect to the something I promised to you, we’ll make sure you get it tonight. To those who are going home tonight, just tell me how you want to receive it — it pesos, euros or us dollars," Pangilinan announced, just hours after Gilas' 81-79 victory over Senegal.
Pangilinan refused to divulge the exact amount in a separate talk with reporters, but insiders in the MVP camp bared it will come up to no less than P1 million — regardless of currency.
"I want mine in cold cash," naturalized player Andray Blatche butted in during MVP's speech.
"I want mine in pounds," Marcus Douthit said.
A P1 million bonanza was also given to the team by a group of Fil-Chinese businessmen led by Dioceldo Sy and Cecilio Pedro while the PBA board, led by new chairman Patrick Gregorio, threw in another P1 million as bonus for the Philippines' first win in the world championships in 40 years.
[See Gilas Pilipinas gets P1 million incentive if it makes next round of Fiba-World Cup]
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