World Cup bid: Now is the time

MANILA, Philippines - Jimmy Alapag, known for hitting the big shots on the court, delivered the biggest message in last night’s sendoff for the Philippine bid to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup.

The small but distinguished Philippine delegation leaves for Tokyo, Japan tomorrow, in time for Friday’s official announcement of FIBA regarding the winning bid.

The Philippines is locked up in a tight battle with powerhouse China for the right to host the mother of all basketball tournaments in 2019.

It’s no easy task but Alapag said it can be done.

“We’re going up against a giant. But it’s been proven that giants can be taken down,” said Alapag on stage at the Meralco Lighthouse in Pasig.

As Alapag spoke, a bright electronic board behind him signified the Philippines’ bid, known within the social media as #PUSO2019.

“This is a very unique and very special moment not just for basketball but Philippine sports and our country, and it’s the essence of what makes us Filipino,” said Alapag.

The retired PBA superstar recalled the days when he wore the Philippine colors, from the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup in Manila and the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain.

More than what transpired on the court, he said it’s all about the fans, the passion of the Filipino people, in support of Gilas Pilipinas.

“The one common thing we Filipinos have is showing their love and support,” said Alapag, who left the stage with his fingers crossed that the Philippines will win the hosting.

“By having the World Cup here, FIBA will experience all that passion,” he added.

The first and last time the Philippines hosted the FIBA World Cup was in 1978.

“And now is our time,” said Chot Reyes, the former Gilas Pilipinas head coach.

“To win the bid will be one of the greatest victories in the annals of Philippine basketball,” said Reyes.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, in a prepared message, said hosting the 2019 World Cup will mean everything for the Philippines.

“In the Philippines, basketball is life. It is part of our cultural fabric and the number one sport which people throughout the country follow devotedly every day,” he said.

“The opportunity to receive the honor of hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup would provoke extraordinary national pride. And as the social media capital of the world, that’s something that would inevitably be felt and talked about worldwide,” Pangilinan added.

Coinciding with the delegation’s departure, the cage body reinforced its efforts in  driving online support and awareness of its “passionate, innovative and game-changing” campaign to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup through the  increasingly popular hashtag, #PUSO2019.

Its pages have been set up on both Facebook and Twitter, encouraging  every Filipino to share their passion and make their voice count as the nation strives to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

 Tourism Undersecretary Domingo “Chikoy” Enerio made his own pitch, one that could strike out any Major League batter.

“We won’t be able to host World Cup (of soccer) or the Olympcis – not yet. But the FIBA World Cup is right down our alley,” he said.

“There’s no other time but now,” added the government official.

Pangilinan said the hosting, if achieved, will be a total team effort between the government and the private sector.

“The country, from the fans to government to the broader business community, is fully behind our bid,” said the country’s biggest sports patron.

Even Manny Pacquiao, the boxing icon, is behind the bid, and will be part of the team that will make the final pitch before the FIBA board in Tokyo on Friday.

“As a world champion and now, a congressman, I always stand up for what I believe is right. And I believe our country hosting the FIBA World Cup is right not just for the Philippines, but right for the sport of basketball on a worldwide scale,” was Pacquiao’s message.

The next three days, Filipino basketball officials, and the basketball-crazy nation, will be sitting on pins and needles, until FIBA announces its choice.

“We’re scared and excited,” said Butch Antonio, SBP’s deputy director for international affairs.

“But we’ve faced huge challenges and conquered them, too,” he added.