Huge boost for SBP in hosting the world-class event.
San Miguel Corporation and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas agreed on a partnership as the country hosts the FIBA World Cup in August.
This also means the two most powerful men in Philippine sports, SMC’s Ramon S. Ang and SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan, will join hands in the hopes of staging a successful World Cup.
SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua said it best.
“Boss RSA and Sir MVP, mag-join [forces]? To me, it’s like Michael Jordan and LeBron James to be teammates, you know,” he said during the press conference on Tuesday.
Ang said it was an easy decision.
“I think it’s the best time to have a prestigious international competition in the Philippines. After almost three years of the pandemic, we want to say that we are open for business, Filipinos are excited to welcome athletes from all over the world, and we are all eager to watch the very best teams play in our homecourt,” he said in a statement.
It’s been 45 years since the country hosted a basketball showcase of this magnitude. That’s why the long-time sports patron commended SBP and FIBA for the event’s return to this basketball-crazy nation.
“I commend the SBP leadership and FIBA for working to bring the event to our shores for the first time in decades. For a basketball-loving country, it means so much for Filipinos to have the world’s centerpiece basketball event here,” he said.
With SMC backing the hosting of the “world-class event,” SBP president Al Panlilio is optimistic.
"The last time was 1978. Something similar to this was 1978, so that’s a long, long time ago,” he said.
“It’ll be many, many years again until this kind of event will happen. It’s not an SBP or a FIBA thing only, but it’s also for the country. We should be proud hosting a world class event like the World Cup.”
The draw will take place on April 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where the 32 qualified teams will be split into eight groups.
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios is expecting the world’s basketball juggernauts to be present for the draw.
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)