The world is starting to recognize the love Filipinos have for basketball.
FIBA officials revealed that the basketball governing body wants other countries to emulate the Philippines' love for hoops with regards to the new tournament format.
After this year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, FIBA will undergo changes in its tournament format, the most significant of which is making the Basketball World Cup qualifiers a home-and-away basis.
The change will allow local fans to have the opportunity to see their basketball heroes in action on a regular basis, with teams playing on home soil at least twice a year.
"We want basketball to be the most popular sport," said FIBA Communications director Patrick Koller. "We would like every country in the world to be like the Philippines. This is our goal, this is our vision."
FIBA even strongly considering the Philippines as host for the 2019 World Cup before eventually choosing China based on their observation about the Philippines' passion for basketball.
Filipino fans were also hailed as the Most Valuable Fans of the 2014 FIBA World Cup in Spain, where Gilas Pilipinas competed gallantly against powerhouse teams and took home a historic victory against Senegal.
Source: GMA
Image: PBA Online
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