Gilas to debut vs Dominican Republic

For the first time in 45 years, the Philippines will be the setting for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. Manila will play host -- alongside Okinawa, Japan and Jakarta, Indonesia -- to the best of the best players in the 2023 world meet scheduled for August 25 to September 10.

Specifically, Angola, China, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Mexico, Montenegro, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Serbia, South Sudan, and the USA will all be first up, front and center, for Filipinos to watch in the group phase.

The last time the Philippines served as venue was in 1978, in what was then called the FIBA

World Championship. It was the first time the showcase was held in an Asian country, with the Araneta Coliseum and Rizal Memorial Coliseum as the venues.

Now, the Big Dome in Quezon City will yet again welcome global basketball, this time alongside Pasay’s SM Mall of Asia Arena and, for the opening day, Bulacan’s Philippine Arena, which is expect- ed to be at full capacity to witness top-ten ranked Italy versus scrappy Angola in the opener, followed by the home team Gilas Pilipinas battling the Dominican Republic.

Tip-offs are slated at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively, on August 25, as a projected record-breaking number of fans is expected to cheer on the Philippine national team in its quest to claim its first world win on home soil in the nightcap.

The highly-anticipated opening day matchups will be surrounded by other attractions as celebrities will be in attendance and tournament organizers are preparing a show comprised of

FRED C. LUMBA SPORTS

There is no final decision yet as to how many Pinoy athletes are going to the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

(Because of the Covid 19 situation in China, the organizers deemed it appropriate to defer the quadrennial sportsfest to September 23 until Octber 8, 2023.)

The Philippine Olympic Committee, together with the Philippine Sports Commission, are yet to determine the roster and number which will be composed of athletes recommended by the different NSAs (National Sports Association).

The basic policy should ideally be that all Gold Medalists in the top local musical acts, booths set up by both local and global event partners, and other gimmicks that will give fans a truly world-class experience aside from a chance to be part of FIBA World Cup record-breaking attendance history.

Ticket holders for the opening day games at the Philippine Arena can avail of free shuttle services from major transportation hubs, as there will be 400 buses deployed for this purpose.

Filipino fans are hoping for an improvement in their side’s unsatisfactory showing in the previous FIBA Basketball World Cup held in China.

On the other hand, the Domin- icans -- No. 23 in the FIBA World Ranking -- are eyeing to better their 2-3 record from 2019, and it all starts by overcoming a loud and proud crowd in a country where they went winless 45 years ago. The Caribbean nation fell in all of their five assignments in the 1978 staging of the world meet, which saw Yugoslavia top the 14team field, while perennial powerhouse Team USA dropped to fifth.

As host country, the Philippines did not go through the preliminary phase and automatically qualified for the semifinals, where it lost all seven games before bow-

FGILAS, P8

Prepping Up For The Asian Games

recent SEAG in Cambodia should be sent.

They deserve to get a shot at the Asian gold.

The Philippines finished in fourth place with 54 first placers and so it presupposes that 54 Pinoys wearing the national jersey are sure of participating.

I would disagree to a suggestion that Pinoy silver medalists in Cambodia be given a chance. The Asian standards are stiff and high, our silver medalists will be “eaten” alive and embarrassed in Hangzhou.

The Asian Games is considered the biggest contest among the world’s regional sportsfest where 51 countries in the planet’s largest continent are taking part.

Five of this number are Russia, China, india, Kazakhstan, Saudia Arabia which are considered the biggest in terms of territory in square miles.

Therefore, emerging an Asian champion means almost like winning an Olympic gold because of the stiff and rigid competition.

Asian Games gold medalists are being held in high esteem in the Olympic and world athletic fora that is why Filipino athletes must be prepared and trained physically and mentally in 100 percent shape.

China, being close in terms of nautical distance to the Philippines offer some financial space for our budget. Unlike when we take part, say in the London or Rio Olympics where air travel is exorbitant, flying to China is relatively cheaper.

So, the idea here is quite clear.

The POC will not wrestle with the PSC for a financial assistance so huge that determining the roster will become a tough task.

All that these two bodies should prevent is when freeloaders and tourists sneaked in, disguising themselves as chaperones and ‘alalays’.

Just three months separate this date from the September Asian Games playdate.

Are the Pinoys ready and reaching the peak of their abili- ties?

There is not much news coming from the mainstream sports media regarding this aspect.

All we know is that those touted to deliver are polevaulter EJ Obiena, weighlifting Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz, gymnastics superstar Caloy Yulo and the stable of boxers.

Obiena just recently broke the 6.0m barrier.

Unless of course the official list of athletes is determined and approved by the POC, our chances of bringing home some sure golds are still up there in the air. (Email feedback to fredlumba@yahoo. com). GOD BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!