Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas officially turned over the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup hardwood to the Philippine Sports Commission in a simple ceremony yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Memorial Stadium.
The historic stadium received a facelift after the hardwood used in the country’s hosting of the most prestigious basketball competition in the world was transferred to the Manila venue.
SBP president Al Panlilio, PSC chairman Richard “Dickie” Bachmann, FIBA deputy event director Erika Dy, Gilas Pilipinas team manager Butch Antonio and SBP special assistant to the president Ryan Gregorio led the turnover ceremony.
“Personally, I want to thank the SBP led by Sir Al Panlilio for donating the FIBA World Cup flooring. This (flooring) was in Araneta Coliseum,” Bachmann, head of operations of the FIBA local organizing committee for the World Cup, said.
“All our athletes thank you because they don’t have to practice in cement anymore.”
The floorings came from the two main venues of the event — the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena — which saw the world’s best men’s basketball squads slug it out for the crown.
Germany went undefeated to capture its first-ever title at the expense of Serbia, 83-77, in the tournament that ran from 25 August to 10 September.
Panlilio said the gesture was a simple way of showing gratitude for PSC’s help in hosting the World Cup.
“We proved to the world we can host the World Cup. It is our privilege to donate the floor to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. I think I will just request the maintenance of the facilities is his problem and I know he will take care of it,” Panlilio said.
“Dickie was instrumental in helping us make the World Cup successful by not only bringing in the subsidies but also bringing together the government agencies and making it the best hosting of the World Cup.”
“It’s also giving back to the sport of basketball which has given me a lot through the years. This is historical to the Philippines and we are happy we were a part of it.”
Before the ceremony, the hardwood was already used by teams for the 3×3 basketball games in the 2023 Batang Pinoy and the Philippine National Games.
