THE country's successful hosting of the Fiba World Cup last year was one of the milestones acknowledged at the 2025 Fiba Mid-Term Congress in Bahrain.
Speaking before the world's top basketball officials, Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio heralded the continued growth of the country's No. 1 sport from the five-a-side to the 3x3 down to eSports.
“Filipino basketball fans have witnessed almost everything this sport has to offer. That’s why, when we gave them something truly extraordinary - the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 - they embraced it wholeheartedly,” said Panlilio.
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“Hosting the World Cup was a dream many thought impossible, especially after our first bid for 2019 was denied. But under the leadership of Chairman Emeritus MVP (Manny V. Pangilinan), we persevered, came back stronger, and partnered with Indonesia and Japan to realize our vision,” he said.
“When we were finally entrusted with hosting, we worked tirelessly. Not even a global pandemic could stop us.”
One of the most active basketball officials in Asia, Panlilio has also been part of eFiba, which is the world basketball governing body’s arm for eSports.
“We’re just proud to tell our kababayans that our hospitality and love for basketball during the last Fiba World Cup did not go unnoticed. Lahat ng ito sa suporta at pagmamahal ng lahat ng Pinoy sa basketball,” said Panlilio.
“Also, I am now part of the major progress of eFIBA,” he added.
In attendance during the Fiba Congress were some of the most revered names in world basketball, with Panlilio joined by the likes of Dirk Nowitzski of Germany, Yao Ming of China and Fiba’s secretary general Andreas Zagklis.
To further boost the Philippines’ presence in the Fiba Central Board, SBP’s own secretary general Erika Dy was named as the chairperson of the Fiba legal commission.
The bigger mission, Panlilio said, is to see Gilas Pilipinas qualify for the World Cup for the fourth straight time.
“The goal of the SBP is to make sure that we will always be present after making it to three straight editions of the World Cup, that being part of the world’s 32 best basketball teams will become a norm rather than an exception,” said the SBP head.
“FIBA recognized not just our hosting of the World Cup, but also the people behind it,” added Panlilio.
Asked if the Philippines is set to host another major Fiba event after the World Cup, Panlilio was enthusiastic.
“We will look for one,” said the smiling Panlilio.
Gilas is top priority
Meanwhile, Panlilio assured that the Philippines’ will continue to aim for landmark wins in more international tournaments especially after Gilas’ upset of world No. 6 Latvia during the last Olympic Qualifiers in Turkey as well as winning the Asian Games gold medal.
This apart from the SBP’s dynamic programs on 3x3, youth and women teams.
“At the heart of all this is our belief in the Filipino basketball player. It is SBP’s mission to give them every opportunity to succeed, to inspire the nation, and to show that with courage and unity, we can achieve anything,” said Panlilio.
“Why do we do this? Because every Filipino who witnessed our victories against Latvia, China, and Jordan walked a little taller the next day,” he added.
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