Gilas foe South Korea slapped with FIBA sanctions for skipping Bahrain bubble in Asia Cup qualifiers

South Korea, the Philippines’ eternal foe, was hit hard by the sanctions meted by the International Basketball Federation for not participating in the November window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers Tuesday evening in Switzerland (Wednesday, Manila time).

On its decision by its Disciplinary Panel in Mies, its national association, alongside China and Chinese Taipei were each fined 160-thousand Swiss francs (approximately 8.65 million pesos), with half of which will be distributed by its opponents in their respective qualifying groups.

The Koreans are with Gilas in Group A, where China and Chinese Taipei were drawn in Group B alongside Olympic hosts Japan.

Apart from financial repercussions, their standing in their qualifying groups also took a hit when the East Asian trio were unable to play in the second window owing to the coronavirus pandemic as the panel also took away two points each, while they gave an additional point to the rest of its group.

That meant that the Koreans were sent to the bottom of the group with two points despite its first two wins, with unbeaten Gilas solidifying its lead with seven points. Tournament hosts Indonesia (1-2) and Thailand (0-4) each had 5 points but the former has a better record than their Southeast Asian nemesis.

With the Koreans absent, Gilas swept its November assignments with its pair of wins against Thailand, who then lost to Indonesia to complete their three-game schedule in four days in the Bahrain bubble.

It was a different story in Group B as it was not played at all, with China, Chinese Taipei and Malaysia all opted out owing to their respective travel restrictions and health concerns due to the pandemic.

Owing to the sanctions, the Philippines can join Indonesia and Lebanon to the FIBA Asia Cup in the next window in Angeles needing just a win in their final three assignments, including their twin-bill against South Korea.

FILE PHOTO: FIBA