USA sends love to basketball-loving PH

AFTER a disappointing finish at the FIBA World Cup, USA Basketball still thanked Manila for its love for the game, for hosting the event.

“Thank you, Manila,” it said on X. “Your love for the game is unrivaled.”

The NBA-filled American roster managed a fourth place finish, after losing to rivals Canada in the bronze medal game on Sunday.

USA’s Tyrese Haliburton PHOTO BY RIO DELUVIO 

Meanwhile, in the Latvian capital Riga, its basketball team was welcomed home on Monday to thousands of supporters, for its best finish. Earlier this year, its ice hockey team received a similar reception, for finishing in 3rd place at the IIHF World Championships, which they co-hosted with Tampere, Finland.

“We have no words, thank you!” wrote the Latvian basketball federation on its X handle.

Runners-up Serbia were also welcomed home at the airport in Belgrade after taking a charter flight from Manila, as posted by their basketball federation on Tuesday.

FIBA champions Germany, who defeated Serbia on Sunday, has a homecoming party in Frankfurt on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes said Filipino hearts were filled with pride after hosting the FIBA World Cup.

“As the smoke of battle clears … our hearts are filled with pride at the unbelievable hosting of Team Philippines of this world class event, the FIBA World Cup,” Reyes wrote on Monday via Instagram.

“We were right in the frontlines, and there was nary a complaint from the players and coaches of the other teams regarding our hosting. And the one consistent comment was the people — the warmth, hospitality, and love for the game of the Filipino,” he added.

Reyes had also thanked the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and its president Al Panlilio, the local organizing committee, and the volunteers of the entire tournament.

Last week, after Gilas finished in 24th place in the World Cup, the coaching reins for the national team had been handed over to Reyes’ assistant and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel head coach Tim Cone, who will now determine the upcoming roster for the delayed 2022 Asian Games, that will be held in Hangzhou, China later this month.