Pinoy fans urged to be Gilas' great sixth man

MANILA, Philippines – SBP vice president Al Panlilio urges the Filipino basketball fans to come out and rally behind Gilas Pilipinas in the coming FIBA Olympic qualifier, hopeful the homecourt advantage could help boost Team Phl’s bid to land a berth in the Rio Olympics in August.

"Let’s be a great sixth man,” said Panlilio, on top of all the preparations for the blue-ribbon MOA Arena event from July 5-10 as chief executive officer of the local organizing committee.

Even as tickets for all the Gilas games already sold out, Panlilio said Filipino fans could throw support in a series of events they’re putting up in the run-up and during the FIBA OQT.

To further drum up the event, the organizing group is featuring an OQT Road Show and is pitching a PLDT Global Village beside the MOA Arena.

“We’re on schedule and we’re preparing hard. Being prepared is not just hosting of the FIBA OQT but a grand basketball festival,” said Panlilio, Manny V. Pangilinan’s personal choice as his successor as SBP president.

“We’re working closely with FIBA and we’ve even got president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s support. It inspires us to host a good tourney,” Panlilio added.

Pangilinan and SBP vice chairman Ricky Vargas said all these efforts they’re doing is for the Filipino basketball fans.

“Basketball is what the Filipinos love. It’s hard to turn your back on this,” said Pangilinan.

“We made a bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup. We failed but we never stopped. We’re bringing the FIBA OQT to the fans. We’re bringing it closer to them,” said Vargas.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said still on offer are tickets for Day Three, featuring France versus New Zealand and a Group B (featuring Canada, Turkey and Senegal) match.

“Our journey has gone a long way. We hope the entire country support the effort,” said Panlilio.

In response to all the wishes and prayers for Gilas, coach Tab Baldwin said: “To the Filipino people, I have one very simple message. Please, on behalf of our basketball team, keep us in your thoughts, keep us in your prayers, and most importantly, keep us in your hearts.”