THE GOLD STANDARD: Ramon S. Ang brewing greatness in Phl basketball

If there’s a tycoon who truly deserves to be considered as the gold standard in developing products that deeply affect the lives of Filipinos, it’s definitely San Miguel Corporation (SMC) president Ramon S. Ang.

For over 135 years, SMC anchored the country’s progress, evolving from a food and beverage giant into a powerhouse in various industries from infrastructure, airports, tollways, power, energy and oil. 

But beyond the industrial landscape, SMC’s influence extends to the very heart of Philippine culture, most notably through the nation’s greatest obsession: basketball.

SMC’s flagship squad — the San Miguel Beermen — formally lifted the franchise’s 31st Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) title following a masterful 92-77 victory over TNT Tropang 5G in Game 6 of their Philippine Cup best-of-seven finals series on 1 February.

With the confetti falling and the champagne flowing, the architect of the Beermen dynasty — SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua — turned the spotlight toward the top. He made it clear that this latest triumph was built on the unwavering, all-out support of Ang.

“More than talent, it’s the support from Boss Ramon that made this win possible. He provides everything that the team needs to succeed. He put the boys in a position where they would not do anything but go out there and fight,” Chua said.

Even with a record of nine Most Valuable Player trophies in his collection, June Mar Fajardo humbly deflects the credit. Instead, he insists that it is Ang’s belief in them that has truly fueled their dominance, allowing them to remain the benchmark of excellence in the league’s most prestigious conference.

“We really thank Boss Ramon,” Fajardo said, visibly moved during the post-game celebrations.

“He is more than just a team owner to us. He also guides us in our personal lives so we can feel his support even outside the court. He is the reason why we have a very solid camaraderie. If you know that the man above you believes in you, you will be motivated to do everything inside the court to repay his faith.”

Culture of winning

Born in Tondo, Manila in 1954, Ang started working in his father’s auto repair shop until earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Far Eastern University.

His leadership role with the Beermen is tied to his long-standing executive roles at SMC. Although the Beermen have been in the PBA since 1975, the 72-year-old Ang just started getting seriously involved in the basketball operations when he was appointed as president and chief operating officer in March of 2002.

Ten years later, Ang gained full control of SMC after acquiring the shares of their late chairman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco. Since then, the Beermen have experienced a historic era of dominance, especially when they drafted the 6-foot-9 Fajardo as the top overall pick in 2014.

Under Ang’s visionary leadership, the Beermen became the league’s most celebrated dynasty.

Since 2012, they won a total of 14 PBA titles — eight from the Philippine Cup, three from the Commissioner’s Cup and one from the Governors’ Cup — to cement their status as the best team of this era.

And they pulled it off in an incredible fashion. In the Philippine Cup finals in 2016, the Beermen were already on the brink of a massive downfall when Alaska posted a 3-0 series lead to move a heartbeat away from winning the crown via a perfect sweep.

But the Beermen refused to die.

With a powerhouse core of Fajardo, Alex Cabagnot, Marcio Lassiter, Arwind Santos and Chris Ross, the Beermen didn’t just fight back; they rewrote the record books. 

By sweeping the next four games to snatch the title from the jaws of defeat, they birthed the “Beeracle.” It was a comeback that was so improbable that it resonated globally, with the New York Times even citing it as a perfect example of the underdog spirit in modern-day sports.

Behind the legend of the “Beeracle” was Ang, who quietly transformed a corporate asset into a cultural powerhouse, fostering a winning tradition that made the Beermen the best squad when the odds are heavily stacked against them through their winning culture and never-say-die attitude.

“We are very happy and proud of the San Miguel Beermen for showing true heart and character throughout this tournament,” Ang said after watching his team emerge on top.

“Our goal has always been to provide Filipinos with a source of pride and inspiration. This championship is a testament to the hard work of the players, the coaching staff and the entire SMC family who never stopped believing.”

Leo Austria, who joined SMC as head coach of its Asean Basketball League team in 2012 before being tapped to handle the Beermen in 2014, stressed that the culture that Ang had cultivated served as the main ingredient to their success.

“I think the biggest impact is the culture of excellence that Boss Ramon has established,” Austria noted. 

“He doesn’t just want us to win; he wants us to win the right way. This 12th All-Filipino title is special because the competition is tougher than ever, but because we have the full backing of SMC management, we can focus solely on the game plan. The heroes here are the players, but the foundation is Boss RSA.”

For the Filipinos

If maintaining a single PBA franchise requires a fortune, managing three simultaneously is a monumental undertaking — even for one of the country’s wealthiest individuals with an estimated net worth of around $3.7 billion. 

Yet, for a visionary like Ang, having three powerhouse teams under his wings is a commitment to millions of Filipino fans who live and breathe the game.

Ang didn’t stress it directly, but reports have it that he’s spending P1 billion annually to shoulder the operational expenses of three teams in his stable — San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia. 

Aside from the salaries and bonuses of the country’s elite cagers, Ang also has to shoulder other expenses, including the construction of a multi-million SMC sports facility and, to some extent, the operations of Gilas Pilipinas, in which he is helping Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny Pangilinan in keeping it competitive.

The well-loved tycoon admitted that he is getting a lot of advice from his financial managers to stop supporting basketball and, instead, pour his massive resources into traditional initiatives like charity works or scholarship grants.

But he remains unwilling to walk away from the sport that serves as the heartbeat of the nation. For Ang, basketball isn’t just a game; it is the Filipinos’ ultimate pastime, a source of collective pride and joy that he is not yet ready to surrender.

“In fact, and I’m not kidding, I’ve been spending a lot for that,” Ang said in a previous interview.

“But I always tell my peers that this is the only entertainment of the Filipinos. If I stop this, I will take the source of pride and joy away from them. I don’t want it to happen.”

“Actually, you can imagine if we stop basketball operations and divert our resources to charity works and educational fund for scholars. We can do it, yes. But the Filipinos will get angry.”

Ang candidly admitted that pulling out of the PBA, especially during the pandemic, crossed his mind. As economic pressures mounted, he seriously questioned the sustainability of such a massive investment while the world stood at a standstill.

“Actually, no kidding, you can imagine that during Covid time, I thought that it could be a good exit strategy. Anyway, it was pandemic and businesses are suffering. But the PBA made its return immediately, right?” Ang said, adding that he will never get tired of supporting the Beermen and striving for excellence to give joy to Filipinos from all walks of life.

“As long as we have the support of our fans and the dedication of our team, San Miguel will continue to strive for excellence,” Ang concluded.

“Winning is part of our DNA, but serving the Filipino people through sports is our true mission.”

Their recent victory in the Philippine Cup was more than just another trophy in the cabinet; it was proof of a lasting legacy. Under the stewardship of Ang, San Miguel has evolved into a cultural phenomenon — a powerful dynasty that remains hungry for greatness as it used to be 135 years ago.