Fifty years ago on December 15, an all-homegrown Philippine team whipped South Korea, 90-78, before a boisterous crowd of over 8,000 hometown fans at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum to capture the 1973 Asian Basketball Confederation (now known as the FIBA Asia Cup) title
![Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs [photo from Victor Wembanyama Instagram]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Snapinsta.app_385822462_852746122787913_3408443742969320509_n_1080-e1698307626420-400x200.jpg)
NBA Rookie Victor Wembanyama, the no. 1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, had a so-so game in his NBA debut on Wednesday, October 25 (Thursday morning in Manila, October 26).
The significance or even prestige of the Asian Games – at least in men’s basketball – has diminished through the decades because it carries no automatic qualification to the FIBA World Cup or Summer Olympics.
In October 1978, the United States brought 12 players to the 8th World Basketball Championship (renamed as FIBA World Cup since 2014 in Spain) in Manila.
The Philippines first played host to the FIBA World Cup (known as the World Basketball Championship since 2014) during its 8th edition from October 1-14, 1978.
The Philippines first played host to the FIBA World Cup (then known as the FIBA World Basketball Championship) in 1978.
Not known to many, the FIBA World Cup – which was known as the FIBA World Basketball Championship from 1950 to 2010 – endured a humbling beginning.
Explosive scoring by a player in the FIBA World Cup may be hard to come by nowadays but if one goes back to the olden days, there is much to feast on.
![CJ Perez, Kiefer Ravena and Thirdy Ravena of Gilas Pilipinas [FIBA.com photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/ravena-400x200.jpg)
The Philippines will host the FIBA World Cup for the second time in its history when the country, along with Japan and Indonesia, co-host the 19th edition from August 25-September 10.
![Caloy Loyzaga [photo: Henry Liao]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/363352961_1472848936863413_3012076405685207807_n-400x200.jpg)
Long before he reached the national consciousness with his all-around dominance in basketball, Class 2023 FIBA Hall of Fame inductee Carlos (Caloy) Loyzaga dabbled in other sports.