MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino himself rooted for the Philippines’ hosting of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup before FIBA’s Central Board, which decided Friday in favor of China.
“For Filipinos, basketball is more than just a team sport. It is an activity that reflects our aspirations and arouses our passions as a people. You yourselves have witnessed this deep and intense love for basketball when we had the privilege of hosting the 27th FIBA Asia Championships back in 2013,” Aquino said in his message to the Board.
The President noted Filipinos from all walks of life went in droves, filled stadiums and joyously cheered for the best of Asia’s cagers, “even as we supported our very own Gilas Pilipinas to a first runner-up finish, the highest honor our national team has ever attained in a generation.”
Aquino said it was a proud, defining moment in the nation’s history and an incredible, exhilarating time for world basketball.