Philippines hosts welcome dinner for Fiba Central Board ahead of World Cup

House speaker Martin Romualdez, with businessman and sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan (left), raises a toast to the FIBA Central Board, including (2nd from right) President Hamane Niang, Treasurer Ingo Wiess, and Secretary General Andreas Zagklis (3rd from left) during the welcome dinner held in their honor Monday evening at the Bureau of Treasury Building, Intramuros Manila. –CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines has welcomed members of International Basketball Federation (Fiba) Central Board ahead of the country’s hosting of the Basketball World Cup.

House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and SBP president Al Panlilio led the welcome dinner for the delegates of the Fiba Central Board on Monday at Bureau of Treasury Building in Intramuros, Manila.

In attendance at the welcome dinner were Fiba President Hamane Niang, Fiba Treasurer Ingo Wiess, and Fiba Secretary General Andreas Zagklis.

House speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez exchanges pleasantries with FIBA President Hamane Niang during the FIBA Central Board Welcome Dinner at the Bureau of Treasury Building, Intramuros Manila Monday evening.

In Manila, which is the main host of the Fiba World Cup, members of the Fiba Central board and basketball federations heads also convene for XXII Fiba Congress from August 23-24, one day before the opening of the Games.

Fiba will also hold the Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony for 2023, which is open to the public for the first time, at Sofitel Manila on August 23. Philippines’ own Caloy Loyzaga is part of this year’s class.

The Philippines–one of the three Asian hosts along with Japan and Indonesia–is hosting the Fiba World Cup from the group phase up to the final phase. This is the second time the global meet is held in the Philippines since 1978.

The Fiba World Cup kicks off on August 25 at the Philippine Arena–which will host the opening ceremony and the doubleheader featuring Gilas Pilipinas–and Mall of Asia Arena.

SBP is looking to set a record attendance in a World Cup game on opening day.