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MANILA, Philippines — The numbers generated by the Philippines’ hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup are staggering and in his remarks during the SMC-PSA Annual Awards Night at the Manila Diamond Hotel last Monday, SBP president Al Panlilio said bringing the event back to the country after 45 years was “the beginning of many more good things to come for Philippine basketball.”
Panlilio said hosting the FIBA World Cup created an economic impact of P17.8 billion, 1.5 billion cumulative viewers on TV and livestreams and P1.9 billion worth of media value for Manila as host city. “We welcomed at least 10,000 tourists, 70 percent of whom mentioned they would recommend visiting our country to their peers and 77 percent remarked they would return,” he pointed out. “The level of service we delivered, showcasing the Filipino brand of hospitality, was unmatched. We delivered a FIBA World Cup like no other, the best the world has seen thus far.”
Last year, Panlilio cited Gilas’ achievements as milestones. First was redemption at the SEA Games as Gilas recaptured the gold medal despite challenging conditions and adversity in Cambodia. Second was the triumph over China at the FIBA World Cup, resulting in a ticket to the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Latvia in July. Last was the golden victory at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. “We won over China (in the semis) again and went all the way to deliver the country’s first gold medal in (Asian Games) basketball in 61 years,” recounted Panlilio. “What an inspirational run by our Gilas team in China, one that was truly for the books.”
Panlilio also noted gains made by the Gilas women, Batang Gilas and E-Gilas. “Our Gilas women’s team entered the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup in Sydney last June and ended up sixth, a game and just a few points away from securing a chance to play in the OQTs for the first time,” he recalled. “They brought home the silver medal from the SEA Games and made it to the pre-qualifying tournament for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup in Berlin. From No. 42, our women now rank No. 37 in the world.”
Panlilio said the U16 team won the SEABA gold medal and defeated Japan in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup, earning a slot in the FIBA U17 World Cup in Istanbul this year. Batang Gilas is now ranked World No. 25. On E-Gilas, Panlilio said the Philippine men’s team barged into the semis of the first-ever E-FIBA World Cup and finished fourth. The men’s and women’s teams bagged silvers at the SEA Games.
“It was a year of achievements by SBP but what excites us most is that there is so much more to look forward to,” said Panlilio. “What a beautiful sunset 2023 was for us, so beautiful that we can’t wait to conquer 2024 and beyond with a new outlook and an inspired spirit.” — Joaquin Henson
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