It is December in the Philippines ,and the Christmas season has already begun for sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan. For him, the best gift that he desires is for the country to gain the hosting rights of the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
“For the country, it will be a great Christmas gift, it will be great honor,” said the business tycoon after SMART Gilas swept its’ World Cup Asian Qualifiers match with Chinese Taipei, Monday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
“If there’s any legacy I’d like to leave to the sport of basketball[, it] is that the Philippines, after so many years, will be the center of the world in the sport of basketball, ‘di ba?”
The governing body will convene on December 9 to decide who will host the World Cup. The Philippines’ bid, together with Indonesia and Japan, is trying to outdo the joint forces of Uruguay and Argentina.
The chairman and CEO of SMART Communications is full of hope for the Philippines’ chances of bringing the World Cup at the heart of Southeast Asia, but with a catch.
“I’m guardedly optimistic, cautiously optimistic. Siyempre, the president of FIBA is Argentinean but I’m sure he’ll excuse himself,” quipped Pangilinan with a slight grin.
“Most importantly, the Pope is Argentinian ‘di ba?”
Nevertheless, Pangilinan and the hardworking men of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas are doing this not just for themselves. They are doing this to help bring global basketball closer to the Filipinos.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed, we’re putting a very good bid so let’s see,” shared the 71-year-old, who is the chairman emeritus of the SBP. “And the Filipino people deserve it.
“Let’s show the world our brand of basketball.”
If the Philippines gets this, Pangilinan plans to have a World Cup like never before.
