Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Despite optimism, SBP prexy still sees 50-50 chance country hosts 2023 FIBA World Cup


No matter how optimistic they are regarding the Philippines’ chances of winning the hosting rights of the 2023 FIBA World Cup, it will always be a 50-50 chance, insists Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio.

This comes as the FIBA Central Board’s decision, on which of the two blocs between Philippines-Japan-Indonesia and Argentina-Uruguay will have the right to host the quadriennial spectacle, will be unveiled on Saturday, December 9.

“Argentina is very serious din with their bid. I think they will present a formidable bid. So I think it’s 50-50,” said the executive during SBP’s presser, Monday afternoon at the Marikina-Mandaluyong Room in Meralco Compound, Ortigas.

In fact, to further strengthen the Filipino-led bloc’s chances, Panlilio and his colleagues will actually fly to Switzerland over the weekend for a last-ditch presentation of the three-nation group’s hosting bid to the FIBA board.

“It will mainly be SBP officials — MVP [Manny V. Pangilinan will be there] of course. We’ll also have officials from both countries (Indonesia and Japan),” bared the long-time Meralco Bolts team governor in the PBA.

“We’ll have a 20-minute presentation and a 10-minute Q-and-A for any issues that might be raised by the board members.”

The SBP is greatly doing their part to bring the World Cup here. But the governing body is also asking help from their fellow Filipinos to help them with their bid, and that is by launching the #playlouderin2023 campaign.

“It will be very big. That’s why we’re asking help from (the Filipino people) so we can show the numbers to FIBA,” said Panlilio, who hopes that the mentioned hashtag will trend as soon as possible, just like the #Puso2019 campaign.

“Malaking impact yun if they joined the trending effort,” added SBP executive director Sonny Barrios.

#ReadMore  SBP accepts FIBA sanctions, has 14 days to appeal

The Central Board’s decision will most likely be revealed at around 6:00 PM on Saturday. And if ever the Asian bloc will be successful, then the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia are all automatically seeded in the 2023 World Cup.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Basketball will not stop for June Mar Fajardo and CJ Perez. The two are expected to join Gilas Pilipinas men on Friday during the...

Basketball

Good news arrived on Saturday morning as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced that Justin Brownlee will be available to suit up for Gilas...

Basketball

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announces that Justin Brownlee will be available to play for Gilas Pilipinas Men in the first window of the...

Basketball

When the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced Tim Cone’s Gilas Pilipinas pool, there was one questionable player among the 12 members of the national...

Basketball

When Tim Cone applied for the position of Gilas Pilipinas head coach, he had a specific vision in mind, ultimately making him the choice...

Basketball

After his successful stint in the Hangzhou Asian Games, where the Philippines ended its 61-year gold medal drought in men’s basketball, Cone will be...

Basketball

Tim Cone wasn’t in the mood to discuss anything related to Gilas Pilipinas amidst reports of his appointment as the men’s national team’s head...

Basketball

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is calling on basketball enthusiasts all over the country to apply for the FIBA Foundation’s “Propose a Project”...

Advertisement