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MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine basketball federation is currently in Geneva, Switzerland, participating in the 2023 FIBA World Cup hosting workshop.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios told Rappler of the Philippines’ presence at the workshop via text message on Tuesday, November 1, but was unable to provide further information about the workshop’s duration and the members of the Philippine delegation as of posting time.
After losing the bid for the 2019 World Cup last year to China, the Philippines has since been open to trying again for the 2023 edition.
According to a report from InterAksyon, however, former SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan expressed some concern about the country’s chances given that the 2019 tournament is already happening in Asia. He does, however, find a sliver of hope if the Philippines is able to co-host with another country.
FIBA, the world basketball federation, allowed bids with multiple host countries for the 2023 World Cup during a Central Board meeting in March.
Other countries looking to bid include Australia, Argentina, Germany, Qatar, and Turkey, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. The same report said Australia is eyeing a joint bid with either New Zealand or an Asian nation, though it has not been finalized yet.
The 2023 host will be announced at FIBA’s end-of-year meeting in 2017. The Philippines last hosted a FIBA event, the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, in July.
Meanwhile, Gilas Pilipinas, the national men’s basketball team, is now undergoing adjustments as it adapts to the new FIBA calendar that will see qualifying tournaments spread out year round until the 2019 World Cup and the 2020 Olympics.
Former Gilas cadets were drafted into the PBA on Sunday, October 30, and can be pulled out at any time for international tournaments along with other pro players. The PBA has yet to name its pool of regular pro players for Gilas.
Chot Reyes, who led Gilas to the 2014 World Cup, has also returned as head coach of the national team while Tab Baldwin, who headed Gilas in the 2015 FIBA Asia Championship, assumed his former role as consultant. – Rappler.com
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