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[av_heading heading=’PH to host 2023 FIBA World Cup Japan, Indonesia bag hosting stints, too ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – After more than four decades, world basketball is returning to the Philippines.
The Philippines was one of the three countries chosen to host the prestigious FIBA World Cup of Basketball in 2023.
The FIBA Central Board also gave Japan and Indonesia the hosting rights Saturday night over the dual bid of Argentina and Paraguay.
“We did it! The Philippines will host 2023 FIBA World Cup. God bless us,” Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan wrote on Twitter.
It will be the second time for the Philippines and Japan to host the world basketball championship since 1978 and 2006, respectively. It will be the first time for Indonesia.
FIBA Central Board members decided to give the hosting rights to the three countries without even voting after hearing their presentation, SBP president Al Panlilio said in a statement.
“I am elated for our country and our basketball-loving countrymen,” said Panlilio.
“We have put the Philippines in the global map,” he added. “The actual work starts now as we collaborate with our partners – Indonesia and Japan – in making this successful.”
As incentive for cohosting, the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia are automatically qualified to the world basketball tournament. Other countries will start to contest for 29 other slots in 2021.
The 2023 edition – the first FIBA World Cup to be hosted by multiple nations – looks at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City as possible venues in the Philippines.
Four group stage games are reportedly to be played in the Philippines while the other four will be split by Japan and Indonesia. Knockout matches will also be held in the Philippines./PN
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