By WAYLON GALVEZ
The travel ban of the government on other countries has forced the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to cancel the staging of the FIBA Asia Cup next month in Clark, Pampanga.
The country was supposed to host the qualifiers for Group A – where it belongs – and C on February 18 to 22 in a ‘bubble’ setup.
“We were confident we’d be able to host a safe environment where world-class basketball players can showcase their skill without having to worry about anything else,” said SBP President Al Panlilio.
“We’ve exerted a lot of effort into our hosting of the upcoming FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers and this is why it is with great sadness that we announce it is no longer going to happen.”
Panlilio said that the SBP has been in contact communication with government officials, particularly from the National Task Force against COVID-19, and due to the new strain of the virus, the Department of Foreign Affairs has intensified its security on travelers from other countries affected by the outbreak.
“They have informed us that there would be no exemptions from the current travel restrictions,” Panlilio said.
FIBA, according to SBP Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Ryan Gregorio, is looking at different venues to stage the qualifiers for Groups A and C, but for now, there is no venue at the moment.
As for Gilas Pilipinas, which is currently training inside the ‘bubble’ at Inspire in Calamba, Laguna, Gregorio said that practices will continue under project director Tab Baldwin.
“That is the plan (for them to play in the qualifiers even outside of the country). They will continue to practice,” he said.
Panlilio said that staging the qualifiers here would have been a perfect way for the country to help the basketball community in its recovery effort after the majority of the tournaments were postponed last year due to the pandemic.
“The SBP wanted nothing else than to be one with the international basketball community as it attempts to bounce back in 2021 after taking a huge hit during the pandemic,” he said.
“Our commitment to FIBA has never wavered as evidenced by our participation in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Manama, Bahrain even amidst the difficult circumstances.”
“We are working with FIBA to look for possible solutions to this situation. We look forward to the day that the SBP welcomes FIBA basketball to our shores again.”
The country is not the only host that was affected by the current situation after Tokyo, Japan, which was supposed to host Group B, also begged off to stage the event.
Qatar Basketball Federation has offered to host the games in Doha.
