SBP given second chance by FIBA to host Asia Cup qualifiers

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has been given a fresh chance to host the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers, after Qatar suddenly pulled the plug Friday owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

On its letter, FIBA Executive Director for Asia Hagop Khajirian expressed its disappointment with the last-minute withdrawal of the Gulf country’s hosting rights, as he further added that it “caused a lot of inconvenience to all of us.”

He added that just within the 18 hours of the cancellation of the Doha bubble, which was supposed to be played from February 18-23, four federations have already expressed their support in filling in for Qatar who had no choice but to defer its hosting duties with the government-imposed lockdowns.

In the end, it was the Philippines and Lebanon were given the nod to play its third window qualifiers there, with the former will have Pampanga as its host province in the “Clark bubble”.

But the windows will have to be rescheduled for it to happen.

Khajirian noted, “Fixing the dates of the 'window to be created' under this unexpected and unordinary situation will still need about 10 days to be finalized.”

With an unbeaten record of three wins in as many games, Gilas Pilipinas would only need a win in their final three games in Group A for them to punch their ticket to the FIBA Asia Cup proper.

FILE PHOTO: FIBA