SBP, PBA promise ‘best’ Fiba Asia Championship hosting

Working together in staging what is considered as the most prestigious tournament that will be held in the country in recent memory, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) yesterday reiterated their vow of hosting the “best” Fiba-Asia tournament ever in August.

The continental tournament, which will be played in the country for the first time in 40 years,  is slated Aug. 1-11 with the Philippines vying for one of the three qualifying spots for the 2014 World Championships in Spain.

“We want to put our best foot forward and our best team forward,” said SBP vice-chairman Ricky Vargas at a press conference launching the tournament’s official logo last night at the MOA Arena. “This is something we’re committed to do for the Filipino nation.”

“It is with great pride and anticipation that the PBA will be joining and standing side-by-side with SBP in hosting the best-ever FIBA Asia,” said PBA commissioner Chito Salud.

“From the very start, the PBA has lent its support to the national cause. The players are there. The format of the league was tweaked and our employees and technical people are all assigned in the SBP.”

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said the logo launching is the first official event to drum up awareness for the tournament.

Barrios also announced that the draw for the tournament will be held on June 6 and the Philippines, as host, will have the privilege of picking which group to join in the tournament.

The logo features five rays of the sun similar to the ones in the Philippine flag surrounding a ball with a huge “Pilipinas” word written under it.  Vargas said SBP president Manny V Pangilinan took a hands-on approach in the creation of the logo.  /inquirer