Qatar steps in to host three groups in FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers

There will be a new location for the February window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers in February, as Qatar stepped in to fill in the shoes of the Philippines who had to pull out of the hosting duties citing government restrictions concerning the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Its capital Doha was announced to host Group A from the eastern section of the qualifiers in the third and final window, replacing Angeles, Pampanga in the process, alongside Group E which has the hosts, three-time Asian champions Iran and the upstarts in Saudi Arabia and Syria.

Furthermore, the 3-0 Gilas are with archrivals South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia

Consequently, Qatar is also be the venue of the Group B qualifiers in place of Tokyo, with the Japanese capital having to withdraw with the same reasons as the Philippines. The said group is comprised of Japan, China, Chinese Taipei and Malaysia.

All in all, twelve teams will descend in the tiny Gulf nation who are already used to host these kinds of events due to the pandemic, as they have successfully held the AFC Champions League last year at their venues.

Just like the second window, the qualifiers will be converted into a bubble mode wherein strict health protocols will be in place.

Already in the middle of the bubble training in Calamba, Laguna, Gilas will join Bahrain, Lebanon and tournament hosts Indonesia if they win just one from its final three games.

FILE PHOTO: FIBA