Ricky Vargas, the seasoned PBA chairman and representative of TNT Tropang 5G, has taken on a new challenge after being elected president of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country’s governing body for basketball.
Vargas now holds two of the most influential positions in Philippine basketball, signaling what many see as a new era of cooperation between the professional league and the national federation.
Joining Vargas on the SBP Board are fellow PBA stalwarts: business magnate Manny V. Pangilinan, who owns three PBA franchises; San Miguel governor and league vice chair Alfrancis Chua; and Converge governor Archen Cayabyab. Together, they represent the “commercial/professional” sector and will be key players in shaping the federation’s direction in the coming years.
The newly formed 17-member SBP Board includes 13 elected representatives from the federation’s 34 active members—ensuring what Vargas described as “broad sectoral representation across Philippine basketball.”
Aside from the PBA contingent, regional and sectoral representatives include Paul Tristan Laus (North Luzon), Edgar Francisco (South Luzon), Robert Uy (Visayas), Renauld Barrios (Mindanao), Jose Franco Soberano (Youth), and school sector leaders Bo Perasol, Manuel Raymund Castellano, and Eric Altamirano. Vivian Manila will represent women’s basketball.
Barrios, Perasol, and Altamirano—all with rich PBA experience—add competitive insight to the board’s collective expertise.
Meanwhile, two co-opted members, Jacob Ang and Chaye Cabal-Revilla, were appointed by Vargas. Ryan Reyes will serve as the players’ representative, while Peachy Cheng Medina takes on the interim role for the 3×3 basketball sector.
Former SBP president Al Panlilio remains a valued member of the board as part of his continuing role on the FIBA Central Board.
In a statement, Vargas emphasized the importance of continuity and collaboration: “This new SBP Board is a healthy mix of wisdom-filled veterans and passionate young leaders who share a common purpose—to build a stronger, more unified future for Philippine basketball.”
He added, “We’re setting the foundation for the next generation of sports leaders to continue the growth and excellence that Filipino basketball is known for.”
With the SBP now featuring an unprecedented number of PBA figures, fans are hopeful that the synergy between the league and the national program will translate to better performance for Gilas Pilipinas and a more dynamic basketball ecosystem overall.