Last August, Batang Gilas Pilipinas qualified for the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup.
The youth team’s fourth-place finish in the 2018 FIBA U-18 Asian Championship ended the country’s 40-year drought in the U19 World Cup. And what better way to celebrate that feat than by hosting the U19 World Cup next year in Manila?
Currently, the International Basketball Federation has yet to find a host for the event. However, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan disclosed that he wants to make a pitch to FIBA.
“Wala pang venue yung World Championship for 2019. ‘Di ba sa Bangkok, nag-qualify tayo? Wala pang venue ‘yung ‘yun eh,” Pangilinan pointed out.
The SBP has been on a bidding spree for FIBA-sanctioned events since 2013. One of the pitches that hit the mark was the country’s bid to host the 2023 FIBA World Cup, together with Japan and Indonesia.
The last FIBA event the country hosted was the 2018 FIBA 3X3 World Cup last June.
This time around, he is just waiting for the right time to make another bid.
“Nahihiya na akong mag-apply sa FIBA.
“I’m just finding the right time to go to FIBA Asia and ask them kung pwede bang kami na lang mag-host ng World Cup dito?,” quipped Pangilinan.
The SBP is looking to retain the core of Kai Sotto, AJ Edu, Miguel Oczon, Dave Ildefonso, Carl Tamayo, Gerry Abadiano, Raven Cortez, Geo Chiu, Bismark Lina, Xyrus Torres, Rhayyan Amsali, and Dalph Panopio for the global meet.
