By REYNALD MAGALLON
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas got the full commitment from the country’s major basketball stakeholders for the hosting of the FIBA 2023 World Cup and the formation of the best Gilas Pilipinas team for the global showpiece during a board meeting at the PLDT office in Makati City on Monday, Aug. 1.
In the meeting led by SBP Chairman Senator Sonny Angara and was attended by board members from the PBA, UAAP, NCAA and other major basketball organizations in the country, SBP President Al Panlilio presented the plans for the hosting of the event set on Aug. 25 to Sept. 10 next year.
To ensure a world-class hosting of the World Cup, SBP is set to form a local organizing committee composed of industry stalwarts and experts.
A total of 40 games will be played in two venues in Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum during the qualifying rounds while 12 games will be held in the Philippine Arena during the tournament’s final phase
“Showcasing the Philippines, this will be the biggest basketball event to be hosted in the country. Since 1978, we have not hosted a tournament of this magnitude,” said Panlilio.
The One Year To Go and Tissot Countdown Clock Launch on Aug. 27 will kick off a series of events in lead up to the tournament proper including the World Cup 2023 Draw event in April 2023, the Official Ball Launch, and the Opening Ceremonies.
In the same meeting, Gilas head coach Chot Reyes also presented a roadmap for the buildup of the national team for the event. UAAP and NCAA assured Reyes of the availability of the Gilas players in the collegiate scene during the initially planned three-month training of the national team.
PBA had earlier announced that it will hold a two-conference season next year to give way for Gilas which is expected to tap the best players in the PBA to join the national team pool.
It will be a busy calendar year for Gilas next year as it is set to play in the final window of the World Cup qualifiers in February and the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May before the World Cup.
