SBP’s Erika Dy and PSC Chairman Pato Gregorio with FIBA executives. Handout photo.
MANILA — Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Patrick Gregorio showed his support for the Gilas Pilipinas Women in their campaign in the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2025 in Shenzhen, China.
Gregorio was on hand not only to witness the Gilas Women's campaign, but also to meet high-ranking FIBA executives along with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Erika Dy.
Gregorio and Dy linked up with FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, FIBA Asia President Dr. K Govindaraj, and FIBA Asia Executive Director Hagop Khajirian.
Included in their agenda is the recently-announced Philippine hosting of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2027, which will see the Gilas Women stay in Division A after their sixth-place finish in China.
READ: Gilas Women lose steam, fall to New Zealand in Asia Cup ender
"We appreciate the support from Chairman Gregorio in China. This is his first official trip abroad and the SBP is honored by his presence and his help especially about the hosting of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup 2027," said SBP President Al Panlilio.
"He wanted to know how the PSC can help not just in the hosting of the event but also on what can be done to further invest in women's basketball. He saw the talent and the competitive fire from our athletes here and wants to know how the PSC can help drive the program forward," Dy added.
Also discussed were other events that the Philippines could also potentially host in the future.
"We know of the nationwide impact of basketball in the Philippines," said Gregorio. "And my hope is that more FIBA events can be held in our country, not just in Manila but in other regions because this will help boost sports tourism and also enhance sports diplomacy. SBP has hosted successful FIBA events in Clark and San Fernando, Pampanga and it will be good to give other regions and provinces that same opportunity as well."
Gregorio also used his time in China to better understand FIBA's eligibility rules.
"We know that there are many athletes all over the world who proudly represent the Philippines even if some of them may have not gotten a Philippine passport yet before they turned 16," he said. "Some of them even represent us in the Olympics. I am with the SBP in finding better solutions for Filipinos who have a clear lineage to represent the country."
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