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| PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann, SBP President Al Panlilio, and SBP Deputy Executive Director Erika Dy on the formal turnover ceremony of the FIBA flooring used throughout Manila's hosting of the 2023 Basketball World Cup, during the Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. PSC Media Pool |
MANILA--Following the conclusion of the FIBA World Cup, one of the three floorings used for the Philippine leg of the said tournament has been moved to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium and is now being utilized by those who are renting the arena.
The most prominent use of the FIBA World Cup flooring at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium was when UNTV used the arena to hold UNTV Cup games there along with other amateur tournaments.
And the hardwood is staying there for good.
The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas formally handed the FIBA World Cup flooring to the Philippine Sports Commission, which operates the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Thursday just as the Batang Pinoy and Philippine National Games are ongoing.
The said arena hosted the Batang Pinoy and PNG 3x3 basketball events, which concluded the night before.
PSC chairman Dickie Bachmann, himself a former professional basketball player, is glad that the NAS will keep the floor permanently.
“Our national athletes and basketball players, especially those in the collegiate leagues can now benefit from this flooring,” Bachmann said, hinting that he is opening the doors of the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to the NCAA and the UAAP just like the good old days.
SBP president Al Panlilio said that the formal handing of the hardwood is an early Christmas gift to Bachmann as a symbol of gratitude for his role in making the World Cup a success.
“We hope to continue with the success of our FIBA World Cup hosting. Alam po ninyo na bago naging PSC chief ay isa si Chairman Richard sa mga opisyales ng ating organizing committee. He helped us a lot in securing funding for the event, and we are happy to help him back with this facility,” Panlilio said.
The Ninoy Aquino Stadium is the third arena to have some memorabilia from the FIBA World Cup as the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay kept some remnants of the event including the heart-shaped logo just below the said big venues' giant screens.
The nearby Rizal Memorial Coliseum, which recently held another world championship event, Mobile Legend's M5, and the PhilSports Arena in Pasig will get the other two FIBA World Cup floorings according to the PSC.
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