He may have already hurdled a lot of challenges but there's a pair of crucial tasks that Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio needs to overcome in the coming weeks: To deliver a successful hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup and to lead Gilas Pilipinas to the Paris Olympics.

In a message to Daily Tribune, Panlilio stressed that they are doing their best to successfully host the world's most prestigious basketball event set from 25 August to 10 September.

He said it's all systems go with barely a week before the 32-nation spectacle with no less than President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. suspending classes at public schools and government offices in Metro Manila to make sure that there will be no traffic congestion around the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan during the opening of the World Cup.

Aside from that, various government agencies like the Philippine Sports Commission, Bureau of Customs, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, Philippine National Police and Department of Transportation are already on high alert as delegates from 16 basketball powerhouse countries are all expected to start trickling in this weekend.

Panlilio said they are expecting more than 50,000 fans to fill up the Philippine Arena not just to break the standing FIBA record of more than 32,000 spectators currently held by Toronto but also to boost Gilas Pilipinas in its opening game against the Dominican Republic.

"We are working very hard to make sure that we are able to deliver with the highest standards as expected by FIBA and our countrymen," Panlilio said in a message to Daily Tribune.

"A lot of people have sacrificed but are honored to serve the country."

The country's hosting of the World Cup will be very special.

The last time the Philippines hosted the event was in 1978 at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum and the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The International Basketball Federation, which was headed by Basketball Association of the Philippines chief Gonzalo "Lito" Puyat II, sent a token delegation bannered by young players Steve Watson, Pol Herrera, Padim Israel and Alex Clariño.