The nationwide group that represented the Philippines within the 1978 FIBA World Championship will likely be current when the present Gilas Pilipinas squad opens its marketing campaign within the 2023 FIBA World Cup on Friday on the Philippine Arena.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio personally invited the group that bannered the flag the final time the Philippines hosted the quadrennial international cagefest.
Expected to be in attendance are Ramon Cruz, Federico “Padim” Israel of Crispa, Steve Watson, Leopoldo “Pol” Herrera, Marty Tierra, Rico Acuña, and assistant coach Nemie Villegas as they are going to witness the present crop of nationwide baller slug it out in opposition to the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m.
As hosts again then, the Philippines was robotically seeded to the quarterfinals spherical alongside defending champion Soviet Union, and the nationwide groups of Yugoslavia, Brazil, Italy, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
They capped off the match with a 0-8 report to wind up on the eighth spot, the very best end the Philippines had for the previous 45 years. Now, they are going to watch as Gilas makes an attempt to surpass that.
—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
