Losing a friend

SBP president Al Panlilio was in shock when he heard the news of FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann’s death from SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan last Sunday. He couldn’t believe it particularly as only a week ago, they met up at the first-ever World Basketball Summit in China.

Baumann dreamed of basketball becoming the world’s most popular sport and the Summit gathered the game’s major stakeholders from around the globe in planning to achieve the goal within 10 years. He opened FIBA’s doors to the NBA and welcomed NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum not only to the FIBA Central Board but also to the FIBA Executive Committee. For the Summit to happen before Baumann’s death was destiny. That was Baumann’s legacy to the sport, assembling world basketball leaders to commit to a vision where the steps to realization were plotted by the man himself. Baumann wasn’t just a visionary. He was also someone who got things done decisively and with diplomacy.

Under his watch, FIBA rolled out a revolutionary World Cup and Olympic qualifying system that involved national teams from 140 countries playing 1,250 games home and away. He introduced 3x3 as the foundation of a mass-based grassroots movement to grow basketball from the streets to the hardcourt and made it a medal event in the Olympics, starting in Tokyo in 2020. Baumann won’t be in Tokyo when 3x3 is unveiled but his presence will be felt.

Baumann was a frequent Philippine visitor. He loved the Philippines not only because basketball is the country’s No. 1 sport but also because he shared the passion for the game with the SBP leaders, particularly MVP, and the fans. Baumann encouraged the Philippines to bid for the hosting of the 2019 FIBA World Cup where the nation was the losing finalist. And he supported the Philippines to bid again for the 2023 edition.

Last December, the FIBA Central Board gathered to listen to the bid presentations of the 2023 World Cup host finalists. On one side was the Asian consortium of the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. On the other side was the partnership of Argentina and Uruguay. To avoid a vote that would’ve created tension and division, Baumann convinced the South American contingent to withdraw, handing the hosting rights to the Asian group. It appeared that the South American team had the upper hand if it went to a vote because FIBA president Horacio Muratore is from Argentina and immensely popular with the Central Board and besides, another Asian country China was slated to host in 2019. But Baumann worked his magic to give Asia the hosting rights back-to-back with the promise of Argentina and Uruguay gaining first crack at staging the 2027 World Cup.

“It’s a big loss for basketball and the sporting community in general,” said Panlilio. “Patrick was also a pillar in the Olympics. He was a great driver and a catalyst of change in FIBA. I’m saddened that he won’t experience the first World Cup under the reorganized format and even more saddened that he won’t be with us when we host in 2023.”

Panlilio said at the Summit, he remembered Baumann embracing him after he participated in a panel discussion on stage to discuss the SBP experience in growing the sport. “He gave me a big hug and thanked me for everything that the SBP has done for basketball,” said Panlilio. “He looked forward to MVP attending the FIBA Central Board meeting in Geneva in December. We’ll all see each other then, Patrick told me. He was always so full of energy and life. He made everyone excited to grow the sport we love.”

Panlilio said Baumann was a friend, too. “I recall during one of his Manila visits, we went to Sage Restaurant and he ordered a tomahawk steak that looked like an axe,” said Panlilio. “He raised it up and had a picture taken. We all had a big laugh about it. That was Patrick. He enjoyed light moments but when it came to business, he was serious all the way.”

POC president Ricky Vargas said Baumann was fair and principled. “You knew you would always get a straight answer,” he said. “I remember Patrick mostly for our meeting in Bangkok, his capacity to solve problems, his wisdom to find solutions. Bangkok was the beginning of the birth of SBP. Working overnight till the early morning, he kept his cool. He mastered the art of conflict resolution. From then on, the SBP and Patrick started the journey to friendship. It was very special when he congratulated me personally and in writing when I assumed the POC presidency.”