Gasol supports Phl WCup bid

MANILA, Philippines - The country’s bid to win the 2019 FIBA World Cup hosting rights got a big boost from no less than the Chicago Bulls’ Spanish star Pau Gasol.

“If the Philippines can host the World Cup, I’m sure it will be a lot of fun (not only) for the country but also for the players because of their passion for the game and how much they enjoy it, how they live and experience it,” said Gasol during the international media conference call that included NBA.com Philippines and Philstar.com.

The seven-foot forward-center was a first-hand witness to the Filipinos’ unparalleled passion for the game in the last FIBA World Cup in his home country.

“We know how passionate Filipino fans are. What great love they have for the game. It was shown this past summer in Spain when they participated in the World Cup. Every game that the Philippines played there was a great atmosphere,” Gasol said.

The Philippines is one of the six countries bidding for the hosting rights of the world championship that FIBA wanted to be a “Quantum Leap” from Spain’s hosting.

The last two FIBA World Cups were held in Europe – Turkey in 2010 and Spain last year – so there is a strong possibility that the 2019 tournament may go to Asia.