Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray has been named as one of the local ambassadors for the Philippines during the FIBA World Cup 2023 One Year To Go media conference at the TV5 Media Center on Thursday, Aug 25.
Catriona Gray (center) poses with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio (fourth from left), SBP vice president Ricky Vargas (third from left) and her fellow FIBA World Cup ambassadors during the One Year to Go press conference at the TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City on Thursday, Aug. 25. (Ali Vicoy)
The Filipina beauty queen expressed her excitement to join former Gilas Pilipinas standouts Jeff Chan, Gary David, Larry Fonacier,and LA Tenorio as ambassadors in the global showpiece that the country will co-host with Japan and Indonesia.
“We have those avenues that make you so proud to see your country being represented. In any sport really, and it translates over to pageantry. I think there is such a joy in being a part of a community that’s all cheering for the same team,” said Gray.
Gray wanted to use the platform in “reawakening the ability to dream again” of the younger generation through the country’s hosting of FIBA World Cup.
“I think it’s great that we’ve tapped local ambassadors who are players themselves because it’s in knowing their stories, in how they began, and how the dream developed. So I really love the opportunity that’s been given to us, to really have this platform, and to show that the game is something to be passionate about,” added Gray. (Nikole Javier)