All in, all out for World Cup journey

Stakeholders commit united front, full support

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine basketball stakeholders, led by the PBA, UAAP and NCAA, are banding together for Gilas Pilipinas’ campaign in the prestigious FIBA Basketball World Cup next year.

According to the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the country’s hoops organizations forged a united front to ensure that Gilas will have access to the best talents in the run-up to the ultra-tough global meet.

“There’s a unified Philippine basketball commitment to put together the best team for the FBWC in 2023,” SBP president Al Panlilio said.

Last Monday, in the wake of Gilas’ setbacks in the Southeast Asian Games and FIBA Asia Cup, the SBP gathered the stakeholders to present its roadmap not only for the Gilas program but also for the hosting of the World Cup.

In the said meeting, it was also reported that San Miguel Corp. sports director Alfrancis Chua was tapped as “executive advisor” of the Gilas program.

Chua’s appointment, which he reportedly requested not to be publicized, is expected to make the participation of PBA players, particularly from the SMC teams, a lot smoother.

Gilas program director and head coach Chot Reyes presented a “month-on-month plan” all the way to 2023 to the SBP board and identified the prospects from the PBA, UAAP, NCAA and different international professional leagues.

Most immediate goal is to “perform in the next World Cup Qualifiers, reclaim the SEAG gold and finally compete against the planet’s best cagers.”

Taking the cue from the PBA, the UAAP and NCAA went all-in for what’s envisioned as an extensive buildup for Gilas in 2023. The PBA had earlier trimmed its Season 48 down to two conferences to free up its mainstays for at least three months’ worth of training with Gilas.

“The UAAP and NCAA have also committed to make sure that players selected from their leagues will be able to join the national team for the same period,” said the SBP.

Basketball-passionate Philippines is leaving no stone unturned in staging the FBWC from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10, 2023 along with Japan and Indonesia.

The country will host 40 games in the qualifiers at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia Arena, and 12 games in the final phase at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Pre-tournament activities include the One Year To Go and Tissot Countdown Clock Launch on Aug. 27, the FBWC 2023 Draw event in April 2023, the Official Ball Launch and the Opening Ceremonies.

“Showcasing the Philippines, this will be the biggest basketball event to be hosted in the country. Since 1978, we have not hosted a tournament of this magnitude,” Panlilio said.

The SBP chief reiterated his call for unity with the World Cup on the horizon.

“We only have 389 days from the actual tip-off and I do appeal to all the stakeholders in basketball to come together and really unify in this effort,” said Panlilio.