FIBA names PH as 2023 bid finalist

The chance of seeing the Philippines host the 2023 FIBA World Cup is close to becoming a reality after its joint bid with Japan and Indonesia was named as one of two finalists ahead of the world basketball federation's decision on Dec. 9.

FIBA Secretary General Patrick Baumann made the announcement late Thursday that guaranteed the first joint hosting of the World Cup with the similar partnership of Argentina and Uruguay being the other finalist.

Baumann's announcement also came after Russia and Turkey decided to withdraw from their respective bids for various reasons.

Russian Basketball Federation President and former Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko said his country backed out because of the “negative attitude of the world sports community to Russian athletes and our country's sport in general,” according to a report by the Associated Press.

The Turkish Basketball Federation, meanwhile, said it would rather concentrate the fund for use to “developing clubs, establishing basketball development centers and spreading the sport nationwide.”

Turkey last hosted the event in 2010 when the United States team led by NBA stars ruled the thenFIBA World Championship.

FIBA's Central Board will announce the winning bid shortly after voting in Mies, Switzerland.

The Philippines last hosted the tournament in 1978 when Yugoslavia beat Soviet Union in a thrilling final at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) tied up with Japan and Indonesia two years after failing to beat China for the right to host the 2019 World Cup.

FIBA officials led by Central Board member Hamane Niang of Mali recently came to Manila to inspect some of the proposed venues.

SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and President Al Panlilio later made a presentation bid, adding that the Big Dome is among the proposed venues while Japan and Indonesia are scheduled to host some of the group stage matches.