Yao Ming vs. Manny Pacquiao Face-Off in FIBA World Cup 2019 Pitches

Two of Asia’s basketball loving countries, the Philippines and China will face off in the final pitches to the world governing body of international basketball, the honor to host the highly anticipated 2019 FIBA World Cup. The event and declaration of the host nation for the 2019 FIBA World Cup is currently held in Tokyo, Japan.

Yao Ming vs. Manny Pacquiao

Both the Philippines and China definitely brought with them their big guns to entice the officials to give the hosting rights either to the Philippines or China.

A photo tweeted by the official Twitter account of FIBA, features legendary Chinese basketball star Yao Ming and the Philippines’ eight-division boxing world champion Manny Pacquiao. Both athlete posed side-by-side before the two camps made their presentation on Friday, August 7, 2015.

According to basketball analysts, Yao Ming is poised to lead the Chinese delegation in its pitch to bring the tournament in China, while Manny Pacquiao will just be a part of a strong Philippine contingent which is hoping to convince the 23-man FIBA Central Board to award the hosting rights to the basketball-crazy country, the Philippines.

Aside from Pacquiao, Filipino-American Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips, Gilas assistant coach Jimmy Alapag, and ex-national team coach Chot Reyes will also be in the country’s presentation bid.

Leave a Comment