Ultra bilyonaryo Ramon S. Ang, known for his pragmatic approach to life and money, believes San Miguel Corp.’s P1 billion annual budget for basketball could be more meaningfully allocated to projects with a broader impact on society.
Like establishing additional feeding centers and bolstering scholarship programs, rather than catering primarily to the fan base of SMC’s Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams – Ginebra, San Miguel, and Purefoods/Magnolia.
When asked by veteran journalist Anthony Taberna on his vlog how much SMC is spending for its basketball division, Ang revealed: “Pag sinabi ko matatakot ka. Ang ginagastos ng San Miguel sa basketball isang bilyon kada taon. Andami n’yan may gym, may instructor…”
Ang was quick to point out that he just inherited the basketball team when he was appointed president and COO of SMC in 2002. (SMC’s Royal Tru-Orange was one of the founding teams of the PBA in 1975, later becoming San Miguel in 1980. SMC also acquired two other teams – Ginebra and Purefoods/Magnolia – after buying out their owners).
“Hindi ako yung nagumpisa ng basketball team na yan. Kung tutuusin, di ako nagbibiro, ang laki ng ginagastos diyan. Gusto ko sanang itigil yan, kaya lang sabi ng mga kasamahan ko sa trabaho, that is the only entertainment of our countrymen,” said Ang. “Ayaw ko naman magalit sila, tutal di nama ako nagsimula nyan, so wag mo na itigil hanggang magretire ako.”
However, Ang reiterated he was dead set on dropping off SMC’s PBA teams, having recommended it several times to his managers.
“Can you imagine if we stop the basketball operations at yung pera na yun bigay ko na lang sa charity, educational fund, scholarship?” Ang said.
“Nakita nyo ba ‘yung mga feeding center ng SMC sa Tondo, sa Cubao? Ang pinapakain d’yan araw-araw pang breakfast. Day and night pinipilahan. Just imagine kung magamit mo ang pera na ‘yun (P1 billion), maghanda tayo ng maraming feeding center. Mas maraming tao pinapakain natin,” he added.