World Cup ticket holders to get free ride to PH Arena

By Randy Caluag

THE 20,000 ticket holders of the opening-day matches of the FIBA World Cup will get free rides to the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas said shuttle services will be available at several pick-up points going to the venue.

“At least 20,000 ticket holders can use the shuttle service to the Philippine Arena for the opening games of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on August 25. Pick-up points to be announced soon” said the SBP official page.

The tournament opener will have the Gilas Pilipinas taking on the Dominican Republic in the main event set at 8 p.m., while Angola and Italy battle it out in the first game starting at 4 p.m. in the Philippines’ biggest basketball venue that can accommodate 55,000 fans.

SBP president Al Panlilio has urged Filipino basketball fans to troop to the Philippine Arena to set a new FIBA gate record.

The magic number to pass is 32,616, when the United States Dream Team II of NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Dominique Wilkins, Shawn Kemp, and Alonzo Mourning, among others, played in the Final of the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto, Canada.

The Americans routed Russia, 13791, in the most lopsided championship in World Cup history.

of Ivorian fencer Enni Danielle Kofi, who is at no. 119 in the FIE world rankings.

“I take so much pride in both milestones because these results have helped me regain most of my confidence after nearly a year of anxiety and stress that began when I injured my ACL, also here in Cairo while representing the Philippines in the World Championships last year. Now, I can say that I am in the right physical and mental space to compete for an Olympic appearance in Paris 2024,” said Esteban in an interview with the Manila Standard.

Esteban, who thanked Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino for helping her get a waiver on a three-year holding period before the world body, FIE, said her achievements in Cairo has put her back on track of her goals.

“As you may know by now, my journey as a national athlete has taken me to a new home, Côte d’Ivoire. The past few weeks, I have been deep in preparation and competition as the Olympic qualifiers have started, and now I forge my path toward my dream of competing in the Olympics,” added Esteban.

Early this year, Esteban was cut from the Philippine national team bound for the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, while she was recovering from the injury she sustained competing in Egypt last year.

This set back her efforts to compete for the Philippines again and continue pursuing her Olympic dreams under the red, white and blue banner.

“The road ahead is still long and filled with uncertainties and challenges, but at least now, there is a road. A lot of peo- ple have been asking about my decision. Yes, I am focused on achieving my Olympic dream. However, more than that dream, it was self-respect. Sometimes, we must give ourselves enough respect to walk away from something that doesn’t value our worth,” expressed Esteban.

Esteban, who submitted her letter of appeal to the POC through Philippine Fencing Association president Richard Gomez, added that the three-year waiting period which was waived by the FIE after the POC made the appeal, has gone a long way in helping her find redemption.

“For now, I would like to express my utmost and sincere gratitude to Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino for holding the door open for this big dreamer to carve her own path toward a long-cherished goal. The honorable POC president’s request to the International Olympic Committee to waive the three-year residency so I can compete under the flag of my second home, Côte d’Ivoire, will go a long way in ensuring I get a decent and fair shot at competing in Paris in the 2024 Olympics,” said Esteban.

Early this month, Esteban finally got to compete for Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) in the individual foil event of the Tblisi World Cup of fencing in Tblisi, Georgia.

Esteban managed to reach the round of 128, where she bowed to Valerie Cheng of Hong Kong, 10-15.

“That is, after all, the only thing I had ever wanted: A fair chance. And Mr. Tolentino’s request for that waiver shows his desire to give every Filipino an opportunity to accomplish their sporting dreams, no matter from what shores those dreams are fulfilled,” said Esteban.