Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Noli Eala will fully support the country’s hosting of the FIBA World Cup next year, also asking the basketball-crazy nation to rally behind our Gilas Pilipinas team competing in the biggest basketball event.
“I encourage everyone, not just the basketball-loving Filipinos, to support the country’s hosting of the World Cup, which gives so much pride for the Philippines being one of the hosts, and stay behind our very own Gilas Pilipinas team,” said Eala.
A former PBA Commissioner and Executive Director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, Eala was the project director of the original Smart Gilas Pilipinas in 2008.
The Smart Gilas team was the precursor of the Gilas program now being handled by Chot Reyes.
On Wednesday, officials from the SBP paid a courtesy call to the new Chairman of the government’s sports agency. Joining Eala in welcoming the delegates from the SBP is PSC Commissioner and Philippine Sports Hall of Famer Bong Coo.
Leading the courtesy visit of the SBP team were executive director Sonny Barrios — who also serves as event director for the FIBA World Cup 2023, deputy event director Erika Dy, division chief for operations Dickie Bachmann, Smart Communication’s Jude Turcuato, SBP legal consultant Atty. Aga Francisco, and FIBA WC head of operations John Lucas.
As basketball is treated as a religion in the Philippines, Eala and the PSC are all out in supporting the World Cup that is expected not just to showcase our world-class hosting capabilities but will also provide an economic boost to the country that is still trying to get its feet up on the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A basketball lover himself, Eala shared the same passion of the fans to rally behind our Gilas Pilipinas in next year’s World Cup.
