PHILIPPINE Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Noli Eala on Thursday called on the entire nation to support the Philippine co-hosting of the International Basketball Federation (Fiba) 2023 World Cup.
“I encourage everyone, not just the basketball-loving Filipinos, to support the country’s hosting of the World Cup, which gives so much pride for the Philippines being one of the hosts, and stay behind our very own Gilas Pilipinas team,” Eala said.
Basketball is close to Eala’s heart. He once sat as TV commentator for Philippine Basketball Association games and later on became commissioner of the league from 2003 to 2007. After that, he served as executive director of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and was much credited for the Gilas Pilipinas program. He, too, was once San Miguel Corp.’s head of basketball operations.
On Wednesday, SBP officials and some members of the local organizing committee (LOC) for the Fiba 2023 World Cup co-hosting paid Eala a courtesy call at the PSC offices inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Together with Commissioner Olivia “Bong” Coo, Eala met SBP executive director and Fiba World Cup 2023 event director Sonny Barrios, deputy event director Ericka Dy, chief of operations Richard Bachmann, LOC and Smart Communications representative Jude Turcuato, SBP legal consultant and chairman of Fiba legal commission Atty. Aga Francisco and John Lucas, head of operations of the joint management committee Philippine co-hosting.
SBP President Al Panlilio said he has also met with Eala and looked forward to his support for the World Cup the country is co-hosting with Japan and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10.
“Let’s work together for a successful World Cup,” Panlilio said.
