CHICAGO - Despite weather challenges and the notorious Metro Manila traffic, our hosting of the FIBA World Cup 2023 turned out to be a success.
The secretary general of FIBA said so in his customary end-of-tournament press conference last Sunday.
"I don't think it's easy to find anywhere else in the world this level of service," Andreas Zagklis announced. He also pointed out that the hosts "delivered with flying colors."
READ: This fan came from Legazpi to enjoy World Cup from gen-ad section
While Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio was pleased with the endorsement, he opted not to live off from the fireworks of the event's smashing achievement.
Instead, he quickly deflected credit and charged ahead with what's next.
"We have proven to the world that our country is capable of hosting a global basketball event as huge as the FIBA World Cup.
"Everyone involved - the local organizing committee, various public and private shareholders, peace and order personnel, traffic enforcers, the LGUs, and basketball-loving Pinoys who trooped to the venues to the games - must be congratulated for making the event a whooping success," Panlilio told me in a telephone interview.
Indeed, while we were so honed in on what Gilas did on the hardcourt, we forgot the war that was also being waged on another battlefront: The hosting side of the festivities where our reputation was at stake.
INARGUABLY, THANKFULLY, WE WON ON THAT FRONT.
Panlilio also thanked SBP's chairman emeritus, Manny V. Pangilinan, for presenting to FIBA back in 2017 his imagination of holding a tri-nation hosting of the World Cup.
"It was a privilege to help in realizing MVP's vision," said Panlilio, who was recently elected as second vice-president of FIBA's Asia Board, a position which he says, "assures that the Philippines is represented in future FIBA events while continuing to develop the sport in line with FIBA standards."
I asked Mr Panlilio his thoughts on the 1-4 finish that caused Gilas to miss the outright bus for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Much to my surprise, he did not dodge the hot topic.
"Obviously we wanted a better result but we are proud of the effort our players and coaches showed against an extremely competitive field. Naiintindihan namin ang frustrations ng mga fans at naririnig din namin ang kanilang mga daing. We hope to use that energy to fuel us in future competitions."
So what's next? What will keep Al up at night in the coming days?
THE WORK NEVER ENDS
Panlilio was asked to join the FIBA Central Board and was appointed as a member by secretary general Zagklis. Panlilio joined his first meeting last September 9.
"Now that the World Cup is over, we will shift our focus into having a successful Asian Games campaign. We trust in the team that coach Tim Cone is putting together and we believe they will compete hard and bring honor to our country," Panlilio stressed.
With Justin Brownlee not quite 100 percent healthy and Japan B.League stalwarts unlikely to see action in Hangzhou, China, I'm afraid that Panlilio's quest for peaceful, restful nights are still a work of progress.
But he's ready to support Gilas anyway. All the way.
You don't have to like Al Panlilio. What you need to do is respect the man's dedication to the flag and country.
Puso. Laban.
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