MANILA, Philippines – Matapos masaksihan ang puso ng mga Pilipino sa larong basketball, suportado ng Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol ang kampanya ng Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas na gawin sa bansa ang 2019 FIBA World Cup.
“If the Philippines can host the World Cup, I'm sure it will be a lot of fun [not only] for the country but also for the players because of their passion for the game and how much they enjoy it, how they live and experience it,” pahayag ni Gasol sa isang conference call.
Nasaksihan ng Spain superstar ang pagmamahal ng Pilipinas sa basketball sa world cup nitong nakaraang taon sa kanilang bansa.
“We know how passionate Filipino fans are. What great love they have for the game. It was shown this past summer in Spain when they participated in the World Cup. Every game that the Philippines played there was a great atmosphere,” dagdag niya.
Isa ang Pilipinas sa mga nais mag-host ng world championship, kung saan kalaban nila ang Cina, Germany at France.
Huling ginanap ang world cup sa bansa noong 1978.