SBP hopes for a COVID-19-free 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al S. Panlilio expressed his excitement in hosting the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup all while hoping for a COVID-19-free 2023 to execute their mapped out plans in full blast.

If the Philippines would be COVID-free by 2023, there would be no problem for fans to watch as much as they want in the FIBA live games with everything going back to normal operations.

“That might be the first major basketball tournament of that scale that will happen. COVID-free and I think back to normal where you have 15,000 to 20,000, 25,000 fans in the venue na magkakadikit,” said Panlilio.

Last week, FIBA already announced the playing dates for the qualifiers from August 25-September 10 and the venues will rotate between the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

“For the group phase, it’s going to be Araneta and MoA, although we need to have some work for Araneta to be able to get the standard FIBA wants us to achieve,” added Panlilio.

Panililio admitted that they have some delays in the preparations following the outbreak of the pandemic but they are now catching up very well together with co-host countries Japan and Indonesia.

“We started meeting over videocon. Our next task is to already go to a briefing, yan ang unang activity namin. As in any event, ang una diyan yung theme and logo. We did some surveys even pre-COVID days and FIBA has shortlisted two already,” he closed.