AKTV/Paolo Papa
SBP executive director Sonny Barrios told InterAKTV that the presentation will be made Wednesday in the midst of the FIBA Asia Cup matches in Tokyo, where the SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team is competing.
Barrios, along with PBA commissioner Chito Salud and former FIBA Asia secretary-general Moying Martelino, will be assisting Pangilinan in the presentation, which aims to seal the Philippines’ hosting of the event for the first time since 1973.
(InterAKTV is part of InterAksyon.com, the news website of TV5, which is chaired by Pangilinan.)
“I am upbeat and looking positively at our bid mainly because we, led by MVP, put in a lot of hard work behind” our presentation. It gives us extra strength when you know that the country is behind you,” said Barrios.
According to Barrios, Pangilinan was scheduled to fly from Hong Kong to Tokyo. The rest of the party flew to the Japanese capital Tuesday.
Last month, the SBP hosted FIBA Asia secretary-general Hagop Khajirian, who was reportedly impressed by the new SM Mall of Asia Arena, boosting the Philippines’ chances to host the event.
Salud believes the country has a good chance to win hosting rights.
“I am very optimistic. I believe Manila with all of our ardent and knowledgeable basketball aficionados will be the perfect host. Add to that all of our logistical support and capability made available by Mr. Pangilinan’s group of companies, there’s no doubt Manila will be the most appropriate host for the 2013 FIBA World qualifying tournament. They will experience the beauty of the Philippines and the warmth of real basketball fans,” Salud told InterAKTV in a text message.
Next year’s FIBA Asia Championship serves as qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. Three spots for Asian countries are up for grabs in the biennial cage competition.
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