The Philippine Sports Commission is throwing its full support behind the country’s hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup set from 25 August to 10 September.

PSC chairman Richard Bachmann said the historic event will feature 32 of the best basketball teams in the world so the entire country should unite in making it a success.

And as a first step in the government sports agency’s commitment to come up with a successful hosting, it staged an inter-agency coordination meeting on Tuesday at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

A total of 37 national government agencies, local government units, private organizations and stakeholders were present during the three-hour discussion that was organized by the PSC, which was mandated to get full assistance from other government entities to perform its functions as stated in Section 24 of Republic Act 6847.

He added that hosting the event will be a major boost to the country’s tourism since basketball is the top sport in the hearts of the Filipinos.

“Since basketball is the No. 1 sport in the Philippines, this hosting is vital not only in showcasing the best quality of the game to our kababayans and the world, but also in using sports as a universal opportunity to bond, connect and make the impossibilities happen,” Bachmann, who used to head local organizing committee of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, said.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio was also in attendance and extended his gratitude to PSC for organizing the crucial meeting.

“Thank you, chairman Dickie (Bachmann) for organizing this event. Thank you for coming. This is not for SBP alone, this is for the Philippines,” Panlilio said.

It’s going to be the first time for the country to host the prestigious event in 45 years.

Bannered top ranked Spain, Olympic champion United States, Australia, Argentina, France and Serbia, the World Cup features a total of 92 games that will be held in three countries — the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.

In the Philippines, the group stages will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and Mall of Asia Arena with the final round set at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bulacan from 5 to 10 September.

Panlilio said one of their goals is to beat the record of 35,000 spectators set by Brazil when it battled the United States at the Maracanazinho Stadium in Rio de Janeiro in 1954.

Bachmann agrees, saying that they will work hard in making the World Cup a massive success.

“May all our resolutions and agreements in this meeting be in accordance with the objective of creating an amazing basketball environment that unites people and encourages them to ‘Win for All,’” he said.

“Maraming salamat po. Laban Pilipinas, puso!”