SBP sees China model for ‘23 WC

MANILA, Philippines — As part of the preparations for hosting the 2023 FIBA World Cup, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will send a team to China for the 2019 World Cup.

While it may not necessarily mean sending a team to China to compete, as of now, the SBP is determined to send a team to observe.

“We have to organize ourselves as we prepare to host the World Cup,” said SBP president Al Panlilio.

“We have to learn from China. We need to send a team there, and see the mistakes and the good things that they are doing,” Panlilio said.

China nosed out the Philippines for the right to host the 2019 World Cup during the bidding war that culminated in 2015 in Tokyo.

The Chinese simply had more to offer, and got the nod of the FIBA Central Board.

“The other factor why we lost to China in 2015 is that we did not have enough venues,” said SBP chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan.

China offered eight host cities – Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou and Shenzhen – while the Philippines could only name three – the Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena and Phl Arena.