FIBA-ASIA UNSUNG HEROES
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Aug 2013
MANILA(PNA)-- Much has been said about the success of the just-concluded FIBA Asia Championship in terms of the country?s hosting the biennial tournament and its second place finish on the way to qualifying in next year?s World Cup in Spain.
Not everybody knows though that had it not for the some 250 volunteers who manned the groups that worked under the Local Organizing Committee, the Philippines would not have enjoyed the appreciation it is now receiving from all the national delegations representing 15 countries that took part in the 11-day conclave from August 1-11.
?Yes, marami nang naisulat, especially on our Gilas Pilipinas? recapturing our deserved place in the World Championshi, pero halos wala tungkol sa mga taong nagkaisang tumulong a para maging matagumpay ang ating hosting,? Samahang Basketboil Ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios related yesterday in the SCOOP Sa Kamayan session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura.
?All I can say is that we could not have reconfirmed our world-famous organizational skills kung hindi sa mga kabataang ito who really served unselfishly in order that the event would be a resounding success,? Barrios said, who acted as Chief Executive Officer of the LOC and was a guest at the session along with his deputy Mauricio ?Moying? Martelino.
?Siguro nasa mga 250 volunteers, plus or minus, ang talagang nagtulong-tulong to ensure that all the requirements specified by the LOC have all been implemented,? Barrios disclosed.
?Of course, there was Boss MVP (business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan), who was chair of the LOC, to oversee everything was done in order,? the former PBA commissioner said.
?Mr. Ricky Vargas, chair of the executive board, Mr. Al Panlilio, president of the MVP Sports Foundation and Mr. Pato Gregorio, founding executive director of SBP were all there,? Martelino, for his part quipped.
?But the people who really did the dirty works, so to speak, are the men and women under the different working groups in charge of the transportation service, hotels accommodations, operations, media, medical, including the doping section, secretariat and marketing,?
Martelino former long-time secretary general of the Asian Basketball Confederation (now FIBA Asia) remark.
?Sila ang matatawag naging ?unsung heroes? ng ating hosting,? he said.
?Sila ang nauutusan, nakakagalitan, paminsan-minsan namumura pa. They formed the team that really made our hosting a very successful one. They were the ones who also made our guests stay in the country a very memorable and enjoyable.?
Martelino made special mention of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine National Police for their making the say of all members of the delegations safe.
?Both the MMDA and the PNP made the traffic from the athletes? quarters at Dusit Hotel to the playing venue at the Mall of Asia Arena as fast and easy as could be,? he said. ?Not only me but the players, team officials expressed amazement how they made the travel from Dusit to MoA lasted to an average of only 20 minutes.?
MVP, according to Barrios, tendered a thanksgiving party for the volunteers and presented them with token appreciation for the job well done.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Hong Kong’s “Tyson” Ng and Harpreet Singh of India Ready to Rock for WBC Asia Strap
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 20 Oct 2025TEAM ASIA CONQUER THE WORLD TO COMPLETE HISTORIC REYES CUP TITLE DEFENCE
Mon, 20 Oct 2025Jodiel Chloe Banawa: A 5-Year-Old Chess Prodigy Making Her Mark at the Provincial Meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 20 Oct 2025GM Joey is aiming for a world title shot
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 Oct 2025Patrick Bonifacio rules Directors Chess Cup
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 19 Oct 2025World Boxing Announces Elite Division World Rankings
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BEN WHITTAKER PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS NEW MATCHROOM SIGNING MEETS GAVAZI – PLUS: VUONG vs GWYNNE II
Sun, 19 Oct 2025BIADO, YAPP, AND DUONG POWER TEAM ASIA TO THE BRINK OF GLORY
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Prado, Catubig dominate DTI Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025YORK HALL FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS: GEORGE LIDDARD MAKES HISTORY TO BECOME THE YOUNGEST EVER BRITISH MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION
Sat, 18 Oct 2025Usyk in Bare Knuckle event?
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 18 Oct 2025IIEE Singapore tops National Chess Olympiad, Quezon City Simba's Tribe wins 2 matches in PCAP
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Liddard Destroys Conway to Claim British Middleweight Title, Becomes Youngest-Ever Champion
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Keiron Conway vs George Liddard: Unbeaten Prospect Faces Stiff Challenge
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 18 Oct 2025Alicaba to fight for WBC Asian Continental super fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 18 Oct 2025