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Tiebreaker Times

Philippines set to co-host 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament


The Philippines has one final shot at making the basketball tournament at the 2016 Olympics, and the road to Rio started on a good note.

The FIBA awarded the Philippines on Tuesday one of three hosting rights for the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournaments.

The Philippines was one of six final candidate nations which vied for one of three slots. Italy and Serbia have also been picked to host the other two tournaments.

Left out were other finalists Germany, Czech Republic, and Turkey.FIBA-Asia-2015-Iran-Blatche Philippines set to co-host 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament  - philippine sports news

The OQT’s begin on July 5, with three final spots for the basketball tournament at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics up for grabs.

Competing teams in the OQTs include the runner-up countries in their respective FIBA Continental Championships, like Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Serbia, New Zealand, Italy, Iran, Japan, and France, among others.

There shall be six teams per OQT and only one per tournament shall secure a berth to Rio.

In a report by FIBA earlier this month, Gilas team manager Butch Antonio confirmed Andray Blatche has given assurance he will be suiting up for the OQTs.

The Philippines have hosted FIBA tournaments in recent years, like the 2011 FIBA Asia Champions Cup and 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

The draw to determine which teams shall be facing off against each other shall take place on January 26.

Photos courtesy of FIBA

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