FIBA, SBP seal partnership with San Miguel Corporation for FIBA World Cup

FIBA and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas sealed a partnership with Philippine conglomerate San Miguel Corporation for the upcoming 2023 FIBA World Cup which will be hosted by the country, alongside Japan and Indonesia.

The partnership announcement was held on Tuesday in Makati.

SMC sports director Alfrancis Chua said they will provide their full support for the biggest basketball event of the year.

"Lahat, we're involved," said Chua. "What Boss RSA (Ramon S. Ang) told me, with Mr. Al Panlilio, what they need is support. Kung ano ang napag-usapan namin is nandyan kami sa likod to support. 'Yan ang bilin sa akin."

("We're involved in everything. What Boss RSA told me, with Mr. Al Panlilio, what they need is support. What we agreed on, is that we are there behind them to support. Those were my instructions.")

"I'm excited, really, we're gonna have to exchange ideas and we're both excited kasi when it last happened in 1978, we were still kids. And I hope we can experience it again. I hope that this is gonna be a different experience," Chua added.

("I'm excited, really, we're gonna have to exchange ideas and we're both excited because when it last happened in 1978, we were still kids. And I hope we can experience it again. I hope that this is gonna be a different experience.")

The Philippines hosted the Basketball World Championship in 1978.

SBP president Al Panlilio said from the perspective of the national team, SMC has been helping even before, such as by allowing the SMC PBA clubs' players and coaches to be in the Gilas program.

"I think from a Gilas point of view, I think there are a lot of contributions. He is our adviser, an executive to the Gilas team. Tukayo plays a big role in making sure that we form the team. Tim Cone is already in the coaching staff so we have a strong coaching staff at the moment. We have a much stronger pool of players that we are working with now, anything that is born by the support of San Miguel and also the PBA," said Panlilio.

"The partnership goes beyond the sponsorship, the running of the program, making sure that everything is prepared to really compete and we want to do our best when it comes to the actual competition."

The World Cup will be held in the country from August 25 to September 10, with the draw of the teams to be held on April 29.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News