Phl, Indonesia team up for 2023 World Cup bid

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is partnering with the national cage federation of Indonesia to form a solid team bidding for the hosting rights for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

The Philippines, barely beaten by China in the last round of bidding war for the 2019 edition of the world meet, will take the lead role, banking on the huge combined population of 360 million people of the two countries.

The Filipinos are regarded as the best basketball fans in the world while Indonesia has a team in the Asean Basketball League and a top contender in the SEA Games and SEABA.

“The SBP/Philippines is very excited to be the lead country for the 2023 FIBA World Cup bid together with Indonesia,” said SBP president Al Panlilio.

“This planned partnership between the Philippines and Indonesia, with a total population base of 360 million people, can be regarded as a significant development for Asean basketball and in the global initiatives of FIBA to popularize the sport in different parts of the world,” Panlilio added.

SBP will announce the new members of the Gilas Pilipinas training pool this Sunday.

Already in the pool are PBA rookies Mac Belo, Ed Daquiaog, Mike Tolomia, Jio Jalalon, Roger Pogoy, Matthew Wright, Russel Escoto, Arnold Van Opstal, Al Gotladera, Carl Bryan Cruz, Kevin Ferrer and Von Pessumal.

Returning Gilas coach Chot Reyes will add 12 PBA veterans in the pool.