Manny V. Pangilinan. INQUIRER.net file photo
For Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan, he sees the country winning the hosting rights for the 2023 Fiba World Cup as his lasting legacy for Philippine basketball.
“For the country, it will be a great Christmas gift and it will be great honor. If anything, if there’s any legacy I’d like to leave to the sport of basketball, it’s that after so many years, the Philippines will once again be the center of the world in the sport of basketball,” Pangilinan said.
After yielding the 2019 Fiba World Cup hosting rights to China, the Philippines’ hopes in hosting the global hoops extravaganza was fanned once again as it joined forces with Japan and Indonesia in submitting a joint hosting bid for the 2023 edition.
The three-nation proposal made the final cut together with the joint bid of Argentina and Uruguay. The two candidates are set to present their proposals before the Fiba Central Board on December 9, where the decision will also be known.
If the Philippines’ joint bid do get the nod, venues like Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena are expected to stage games, while the cavernous Philippine Arena is also eyed to host the championship game.
Pangilinan said he’s really praying to the heavens that Fiba finally gives the country the green light in hosting the Fiba World Cup, noting that if there’s a country in the world which loves the sport of basketball more than anyone, it’s definitely the Filipinos.
“The Filipino people deserve it,” he said. “I’m guardedly optimistic and cautiously optimistic. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. We’re putting a very good bid so let’s see.”