Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

2016 Manila OQT

Manila OQT organizers preparing for ‘basketball festival’


June 9, 2016
Countdown to Manila OQT: 26 days

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)’s Al Panlilio said in a press conference on Wednesday that organizers of the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Manila, Philippines are “on schedule with (their) preparations” for the event.

“We are preparing really hard for the tournament,” Panlilio, who also chairs the Local Organizing Committee of the event, said.

Panlilio added the LOC seeks a festival-type atmosphere for the Manila OQT, which shall include side events in the build-up towards opening day.

“This is not just a basketball tournament, but a basketball festival. We will have a FIBA OQT Road Show and March to MOA event,” Panlilio said.

Gilas-Apparel Manila OQT organizers preparing for 'basketball festival' 2016 Manila OQT Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News  - philippine sports news

Official Gilas merchandise will also be available in all five floors of the SM Mall of Asia Arena (Joaqui Flores)

SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios added: “On the operational side, we are really just fine-tuning the requirements.”

Barrios also said dates with Gilas games are “almost sold out” already.

SBP’s Ricky Vargas shared bringing the FIBA OQT at home gives Gilas Pilipinas a good chance of winning and qualifying for the Olympics because of the fan support.

“MVP (Manny Pangilinan) came out in full force to bring the World Cup in Manila. For the fans. We failed but we did not stop. We felt if we will bring the OQT to Manila, we have an equal chance of winning the tournament because of our fans,” Vargas said. “They are the reason why basketball is this big in this country.”

Road-to-Rio-Press-Con-Marc-Pingris Manila OQT organizers preparing for 'basketball festival' 2016 Manila OQT Basketball Gilas Pilipinas News  - philippine sports news

Marc Pingris calls upon the Filipinos to support Gilas Pilipinas in their Manila OQT campaign

SBP President and long-time basketball patron Manny Pangilinan added it was difficult to pass up on an opportunity for fans to witness their national team go up against top-level international competition at home.

#ReadMore  TNT hopes Roger Pogoy injury not as severe as it looks

“I just want to swim along with the tide. Filipinos love basketball, mahirap talikuran yun. We want to help as much as we can,” Pangilinan said.

Panlilio added: “We set the goals higher, and we hope we qualify for the Rio Olympics.”

As early as now, Gilas head coach Tab Baldwin also asked Filipinos to continue supporting the national team.

Gilas will battle France on July 5 at the Mall of Asia Arena to open the Manila OQT.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has officially appointed Alfrancis Chua as the program director and team manager for both the Gilas Pilipinas Boys’ and...

Basketball

From a young prodigy to a Philippine basketball icon, LA Tenorio’s journey has come full circle. The 40-year-old Barangay Ginebra San Miguel point guard...

ADMU

Jared Bahay stepped up in the clutch, delivering key plays down the stretch to lift Ateneo de Manila University past University of the East,...

ADMU

Ateneo de Manila University’s struggles in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament have been evident since the start of their campaign. The...

ADMU

Far Eastern University kept its Final Four hopes alive while pushing Ateneo de Manila University to the brink of elimination, securing a 65-54 victory...

ADMU

Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin sees no reason to dwell on his biggest loss in the UAAP, as the Blue Eagles still have much...

Basketball

The ‘Battle of Katipunan’ rivalry has certainly intensified in the post-pandemic era, especially as archrival Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines...

ADMU

University of the Philippines showcased its dominance over archrival Ateneo de Manila University with a commanding 28-point victory, 75-47, to enhance its pursuit of...

Advertisement