Special PSA Forum to tackle FIBA World Cup

WITH less than two weeks before basketball’s biggest event formally kicks off, top officials of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Local Organizing Committee will talk about last-minute preparations being done for the success of the FIBA World Cup staging when they guest in a special edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday.

The weekly session set at 11 a.m., will be held at the Meralco Conference Hall in Ortigas, with SBP president Al S. Panlilio heading the panel of special guests.

Panlilio is going to discuss what is expected of the country’s co-hosting of the World Cup along with Japan and Indonesia, which simultaneously comes off the wraps starting Aug. 25.

It will be the first time the so-called Olympic of basketball returns to the country since it was last staged here in 1978 at the historic Araneta Coliseum.

Joining Panlilio in the Forum are SBP executive-director Sonny Barrios, deputy event director Erika Dy, joint management committee head John Lucas, and Cignal TV president Jane Basas.

PSA president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of the Philippine Star, enjoins officials and members of the country’s oldest media organization to attend the session presented by San Miguel Corporation, Philippine Sports Commission, MILO, Philippine Olympic Committee, and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

The program is being livestreamed via the PSA Facebook page and fb.com/ PhilippineSportswritersAssociation and aired on a delayed basis over Radyo Pilipinas 2, which also shares it on its official Facebook page.

trimmed to 25.

Go was the only aspirant from the Philippines and the rest came from India, New Zealand, Australia, China, and South Korea.

They will undergo rigid screening that includes skills’ tests at Sepang Circuit in Malaysia, and fitness and proficiency tests in dealing with the team and media. There will also be media and sponsorship sessions along the way before they announce the top 6 drivers. This small group then gets one last shot to impress the FDA and Motorsport Australia representatives for a shot in the FDA Scouting World Finals at the end of October.

“I believe this journey will open doors to a wealth of opportunities – expanding my knowledge, forging valuable relationships, increasing media presence, and hopefully, attracting sponsors who can play a crucial role in advancing my career to the next level,” added the multi-titled karter from Cebu.

Even at a young age, Go is already an accomplished karter, having won several titles in Asia, He event went to Europe to focus full-time on racing.

Go has won championships in the IAME Series Asia, ROK Cup Singapore, and Asian Karting Open Championship, before moving to Europe and focusing to race full-time.

Mendoza took away the scoring honor from Vosotros as he finished with 10 points. Vosotros, whose long reign as the tournament’s scoring champion, added seven points, five rebounds, and six assists.

Lervin Flores had three points and seven rebounds, while Samboy De Leon added a basket for the second seeded Triple Giga, who were cheered on the sideline by TNT 5-on-5 champion coach and team manager Jojo Lastimosa.

Cavitex was led by the seven points of Dominick Fajardo, while Jorey Napoles, who was crowned as the meet’s newest scoring king added six. The runner-up finish was worth P250,000 for the Braves of coach Kyles Lao, who were supported by the personal appearance of NLEX alternate governor Ronald Dulatre.

In the battle for third place, Meralco took down Barangay Ginebra, 18-14, to bag the P100,000 prize money. Cavitex and TNT, seeded no. 2, both went through the wringer in the semis to arrange the titular showdown.

The Braves turned back Joseph Sedurifa and the Meralco Bolts in overtime, 17-16, behind the game-winner of Bong Galanza, while the Triple Giga defeated Barangay Ginebra Kings, 21-16, as Vosotros caught fire late in the game.

Earlier, the four seeded teams made the semifinals by disposing their respective foes in the opening round of the knockout phase.