2023 World Cup gets green light

MANILA, Philippines — It’s all set for the Philippines’ co-hosting of the centerpiece event in world basketball – the FIBA World Cup – in 2023.

The International Basketball Federation last Monday announced the official playdates for the 2023 FIBA World Cup (Aug. 25 to Sept. 10), giving basketball-crazy Filipinos a major spectacle to look forward to.

“This is certainly positive news as it is something to look forward to amid the difficult situation the entire world is facing right now,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio said.

Manny V. Pangilinan, SBP chairman emeritus, had earlier expressed confidence that preparations for the 2023 World Cup will proceed smoothly amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Tatlong taon pa (Three more years),” said Pangilinan, the man behind the country’s hosting of the world event.

The Philippines shares hosting chores with Indonesia and Japan for the prestigious event featuring the top 32 national teams led by defending champion Spain and redemption-seeking United States.

The Philippines will serve as main hub of world-class action. In addition to group play, the country will host the final phase.

“Rest assured your SBP officials will work hand in hand even with the limitations of the times to guarantee that our co-hosting of the tournament will be something that Filipino basketball fans will remember and will be proud of,” said Panlilio.

According to FIBA, the qualification period for the world meet will take place from November 2021 to February 2023 with 80 nations seeking berths to the main tournament.

Gilas Pilipinas, which is seeded as host, will make its third consecutive trip to the World Cup following a memorable outing in Spain in 2014 and in China last year.

Gilas is on the early stages of the buildup under program director Tab Baldwin. The SBP is still searching for the next Gilas coach – either homegrown or foreign.

Panlilio mentioned the possibility of putting a qualified Filipino coach at the helm.

“Of course a Filipino coach is equally qualified to coach the Gilas team. We have Filipino coaches who are at par or even better than global coaches,” Panlilio told The STAR.

“Having said that, my wish is for a full time coach for the national team, especially now that we are developing a Gilas pool of players,” he said.