SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) REPUBLIC OF THE ) Second Regular Session )

SENATE

P. S. R. No. 1115

Introduced by SENATOR SONNY ANGARA

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE PHILIPPINES' BID TO HOST THE 2019 FIBA BASKETBALL WORLD CUP AND URGING ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO WORK TOGETHER AND SUPPORT THE EFFORTS TOWARDS THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THIS LAUDABLE ENDEAVOR

WHEREAS, our country is eyeing to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup-the 18th tournament of its kind where the number of teams will be increased from 24 teams to 32 national teams. Since the event's inception in 1950, Asia has hosted the FIBA World Cup only twice-the Philippines in 1978 and Japan in 2006;

WHEREAS, six nations have been short-listed to host either the 2019 and/or the 2023 Basketball World Cup. Countries bidding to host are Turkey, France and Germany with Asian contenders, China, Qatar and the Philippines;

WHEREAS, the Philippines hosted the 1978 FIBA World Championships and three FIBA Asia Championships in 1960, 1973 and 2013, proving that the country is outstanding in managing such tournaments. Top FIBA officials commended the Philippines during the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship for the high attendance rating, TV coverage, logistics management and unwavering support of the Filipino people;

WHEREAS, the submission of the final candidature files will be on April 2015 after the on-site inspection of the probable venues in the Philippines. FIBA will appoint the host nations for the 2019 and 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup by June 18, 2015;

WHEREAS, the FIBA Basketball World Cup, the most prestigious among all levels of basketball tournaments, became a showcase for the world to see the Philippine team's unique brand of puso-fueled basketball. The Philippine team broke its forty-year drought with their win in the recent FIBA World Cup. Our country showed this brand of "puso" in our bid's official campaign logo. It displays a ball, decorated with a flame, bamboo sticks, a Philippine flag, without the stars and sun, and the inscription "Puso Pilipinas 2019";

WHEREAS, the Philippines has a long basketball history-boasting the first and longest play-for-pay league in Asia and winning the bronze during the 1954 FIBA and standing fifth-place during the 1936 Summer Olympics to name a few milestones. Indeed, our bid tagline resonates well throughout the country-"Basketball is Life!";

WHEREAS, the Philippines' growth in basketball coincides with the recent economic progress and development of our country, "Asia's rising tiger." Hosting such a prestigious global sports event will be a continuing validation of our country's growing role in Asia and in the world; WHEREAS, the country's cultivated and passionate basketball fans are a crucial factor in the development of the sport in our country. It is played practically in every corner, barangay, or school all over the country aside from the large arenas such as the , Mall of Asia Arena and Araneta Coliseum- venues intended to be tapped for this global sporting event. In fact, the impassioned Filipino fans were awarded the Most Valuable Fan (MVF) award at the FIBA World Cup in Spain;

WHEREAS, the Philippine Senate played its role in sports development in the country especially in granting citizenship to Andre Blatche to help the Smart Gilas team; recognition of Philippine athletes such as the Philippine Dragon Boat Team, Gilas Pilipinas, Manny Pacquiao and Michael Martinez to name a few;

WHEREAS, continuing its vital and proactive role in sport development, there is a need to express the strong sense of the Philippine Senate to support the grand and visionary initiative to host a world cup, and turn the spotlight on the country's robust economic growth and sports development especially in basketball;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, as it hereby resolved, that the Senate of the Philippines express its full support of the Philippines' bid to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup and urging all stakeholders to work together to achieve this laudable endeavor.

Adopted.