MVP: Three-nation hosting of Fiba World Cup ‘spreads basketball fever’

From left, Yuko Mitsuya chairman of the Japan Basketball Association, JBA, Philippine businessman and SBP Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan and Indonesian businessman and central board member and President of Indonesia’s NOC Erick Thohir pose with the Naismith Trophy, FIBA Basketball World Cup trophy, after the host announcement ceremony for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023, at the FIBA’s headquarters in Mies, Switzerland, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. The three countries Philippines, Japan and Indonesia have been selected to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2023. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP)

It’s been an indisputable notion that the Filipinos’ fervor for the sport of basketball had reached religious levels.

So when the Philippines was chosen as one of the hosts for the 2023 Fiba World Cup, Manny V. Pangilinan, the chairman emeritus of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, could not help but share the excitement with Indonesia and Japan.

“Hosting the Fiba Basketball World Cup in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia is good because it does spread the basketball fever around in those countries instead of concentrating it in one place,” said Pangilinan as per Fiba’s official website.

“The work with Japan and Indonesia starts today. I’m sure at the end of the day it will be an excellent tournament for all three countries, and for Fiba, and for world basketball.”

 The Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia will all share the hosting rights for the 2023 Fiba World Cup after outbidding the joint presentation of Argentina and Uruguay.

All three countries can claim that they have the sport of basketball as part of their popular culture with the Philippines regarding the sport as its most beloved one, be it in the professional or collegiate level. 

Indonesia has the Indonesian Basketball League that has 12 teams across the country boasting local fan bases. Japan also has its own professional basketball league.

“I think it’s an event that makes all Filipino very happy and I’m sure all of the fans in Indonesia and Japan are equally happy,” said Pangilinan. “As you know we are just a basketball crazy country.”