Muratore’s message to MVP

MIES – FIBA president Horacio Muratore of Argentina said the other day he has the highest respect for SBP president and FIBA Central Board member Manny V. Pangilinan and is glad that the Philippines won the hosting rights for one of three Olympic qualifiers after a spirited effort to stage the 2019 World Cup only to lose the opportunity to China. Muratore sent his warmest regards to Pangilinan through SBP executive director Sonny Barrios who attended the draw in this Swiss city last Tuesday night (Wednesday morning, Manila time).

Germany, Italy, Serbia, Philippines, Turkey and Germany were in the short-list of bidders to host the Olympic qualifiers. The nine-man FIBA Executive Committee, headed by Muratore, secretary-general Patrick Baumann and treasurer Ingo Weiss, decided to award the rights to Italy, Serbia and the Philippines even as Turkey had the highest tender.

Muratore delivered the opening remarks of the draw program. He congratulated the 18 countries in the men’s qualifiers and 12 in the women’s edition for making it to the last stage in pursuit of their Olympic dream.

Muratore said he’s optimistic that Argentina’s best players will be in harness for the Rio Olympics. Argentina qualified for Rio by finishing second in FIBA Americas behind Venezuela. Muratore named Manu Ginobili, Andres Nocioni, Luis Scola and Pablo Prigioni as among the NBA veterans lined up for Manila.

Barrios declined to divulge the Philippines bid to host the qualifier. He confirmed that the minimum bid was 1.8 Million Euros or the equivalent of P93.8 Million. Beyond the bid, the Philippines had to put up a bond of 300,000 Euros or the equivalent of P15.6 Million. For whatever violations or deficiencies that the Philippines may be guilty of in the course of organizing the qualifier, FIBA will deduct the costs from the bond. Barrios said the bond or its balance will be returned to the SBP two months after the tournament.

Drawn to join the Philippines in the Manila tournament were Turkey, Senegal and Canada in Group A and France, New Zealand and the host country in Group B. It appears unlikely that the Philippines and Senegal will reprise their rivalry. The Philippines nipped Senegal, 81-79, in overtime at the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Senegal isn’t expected to beat either Turkey or Canada. The six teams are guaranteed to play at least two games each.

The draw master of ceremonies was rapper Chris Brow who owns and operates an entertainment outfit based in Dusseldorf. He has been involved as a presenter and moderator for companies like BMW, Volkswagen, Bayer, Siemens, Asics, Tommy Hilfiger and Samsung. Brow is fluent in English and German.

FIBA sport and competitions director Predrag Bogosavljev conducted the draw. He was assisted by Ana Dabovic of Serbia and Ilona Korstin of Russia for the women’s draw and Jorge Garbajosa of Spain and Radoslav Nesterovic of Slovenia for the men’s draw. In the audience was FIBA secretary-general emeritus Borislav Stankovic, now 90. Stankovic was FIBA secretary-general from 1976 to 2002 or until Patrick Baumann took over.

Dabovic, 26, is entering her second season with the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. She has played in Greece, Turkey, Poland and Russia. Last year, Dabovic led Serbia to the EuroBasket championship with the prize a ticket to the Rio Olympics.

Dabovic said she doesn’t know too much about the Philippines except that Filipino fans love basketball. “I’m only 26 and I’ve got a lot of years left to play,” she said. “Someday, I hope to play in the Philippines, maybe if there’s a pro league I could join. I know there are tough teams in the Philippines group for the qualifiers but my advice is never give up on your Olympic dream. It may come true.”

Korstin, 35, played on the Russian team that took the bronze medal at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. She also saw action at the 2012 London Games. Garbajosa, 38, is a two-year Toronto Raptors veteran. He was on the Spanish team that won the gold medal at the 2006 FIBA World Cup in Saitama and also on the squad that bagged the silver at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Nesterovic, 39, played for Minnesota, San Antonio, Indiana and Toronto in a 12-year NBA career. The 7-foot center was the Timberwolves first round pick in the 1998 NBA draft. He was on the San Antonio Spurs squad that claimed the NBA title in 2005 with another Slovenian Beno Udrih. Nesterovic was on the Slovenian team that participated at the Olympic qualifier for the 2008 Games in Athens. Slovenia lost to Puerto Rico in the knockout quarterfinals. He is now secretary-general of the Slovenian Basketball Federation and a member of the FIBA Players Commission with Vlade Divac, Korstin and the Philippines’ Jimmy Alapag.