Cover Al Panilio
Al Panilio
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Long-time executive and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) President Al Panlilio reflects on the tenets of basketball and how they apply to life off-court
Four years as president of Smart Communications, nine years as senior vice president of Meralco, two years as president and CEO of PLDT and Asia Communications Awards (ACA) CEO of the Year in 2022—these are but a few of Al Panlilio’s career highlights. And much like in the world of sports, highlights paint a small picture of a bigger game. Tatler got to sit down with the long-time executive not to delve into business acumen or corporate credo, but to get to know him more through a passion close to his heart: basketball.
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Above Al Panlilio looks forward to a brighter future for Filipino athletes
Al Panlilio looks forward to a brighter future for Filipino athletes
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Having joined in 2016, Panlilio is the president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) which is home to both the men’s and women’s divisions of our national basketball team, Gilas Pilipinas. “Basketball has taught me a lot about life,” he said bluntly. “It taught me about building character, developing your skill to be excellent, but most importantly, I understood that life is not about being alone—you have to be in a team.”
As a young boy, Panlilio was always a fan of the game. He would play it in the streets with his uncle or when at home, against a wall with a ring he drew on chalk. “It’s a sport that can be played anywhere, in the streets, in an indoor gym, on cement or wood, with or without shoes,” he shared. Eventually, he would don the iconic blue eagle jersey in the UAAP junior division as a player for his alma mater, Ateneo. His passion for the sport would then bleed from the court to bigger platforms.
In 2023, the Gilas Pilipinas national men’s team reached the FIBA World Cup with the Philippines as one of the host countries alongside Japan and Indonesia. It was a momentous season. Filipino fans waited with bated breath for every Gilas game, tuning in at the stadiums or online. “The Filipino understanding of the game is very deep. If there are 10,000 people watching, there are 10,000 coaches out there—everybody’s knowledgeable and most can play themselves,” Panlilio quipped. “Hence the puso [heart] moniker during the recent World Cup; everyone feels the Pinoy passion for the sport.”
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When asked what he’d like to achieve at the helm of the SBP, he imparted a vision bigger than his mandate. For Gilas to be the top Asian team is a given objective, one they historically reached at the 19th Asian Games in 2023. Gilas bagged gold (a first in over 60 years), scoring 70-60 against Jordan in the final game. But Panlilio was quick to assuage any impressions of complacency from the win. “We want to be competitive and sustain that for a long time,” he said. “[Gilas coach] Tim [Cone] is in agreement: we should be able to dominate and be one of the top teams in Asia.”
His second aspiration is for the Gilas team to hit the top 16 in the next FIBA World Cup to be held in Qatar in 2027. Qualifying rounds begin a year before and as early as now, SBP is already working hard towards that goal. Should Gilas land as the top Asian team in the World Cup, they become a shoo-in for the Olympics—the ultimate goal for any national basketball team. To achieve this, Panlilio points out that it’s not only about the men’s 5-on-5. “TheSBP has to develop its grassroots programmes and even the technical parts of the sport: coaches, referees and statisticians. It’s the whole ecosystem that we want to improve. That includes women’s basketball and the 3x3 iteration as well.”
To make it to Qatar, Panlilio cites chemistry and continuity are of the utmost importance. With a newly minted coach, Tim Cone, joining the organisation, there is a bigger attention to foster a core team that can get there. From a former rotation of 30 players, they are now focusing on a select 14. From a policy standpoint, SBP is adamant on team parity. “That’s part of building the chemistry,” Panliliodisclosed. “Whether you are a KaiSotto, a Kevin Quiambao, a Dwight Ramos or June Mar Fajardo—you’re all the same. That is our philosophy. No one is entitled and everyone is equal.” He quoted Cone addressing the players, “You’re all superstars in your own right, but in this team, no one is a superstar.”
Now, how does the SBP president translate these philosophies from court to real life? “The secret to building [any] team is to hone one’s craft, communication, respecting individuals and establishing a ‘happy space’, not a lax one but an environment where it’s safe to say your piece and be heard.”
As the road to the Paris Olympics beckons, the SBP and Panlilio himself are at the forefront of moulding a national team we can all be proud of. As to where he is in his life today, Panlilio emphasised the gravity of living with purpose. “Whatever you do, do it right. Titles are fleeting. Treat people well on your way up, because these are the same people you’ll meet on your way down when you retire or make your life simpler. Build relationships and be good to people—everything else will follow.”
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Credits
Photography: Jon Nouel Hipe
Location: Horizon Sky Lounge, Makati Shangri-La, Manila
A creative storyteller with a background in literature and culture, Dowee has been with Tatler since 2016 and now leads the brand’s digital voice—pursuing stories that highlight inspiring people, moments, and experiences. She holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from De La Salle University and is pursuing her PhD in Philippine Literature and Society at the University of the Philippines. She is also a member of the writers group, Taftique, which hones young writers in the field of creative literature.
For story leads, collaborations, or inquiries, reach out via dowee@tatlerphilippines.com or info@tatlerphilippines.com.
