With the success of the PBA bubble in Clark, Pampanga, the International Basketball Federation has granted the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas the hosting rights for the February window of the Asia Cup Qualifiers.
Clark will host Group A, which Gilas, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand are a part of; and Group C, which consists of New Zealand, Australia, Guam, and Hong Kong.
This will be the first time the Boomers will play in the Philippines since the Bulacan brawl July 2, 2018. New Zealand competed here during the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
This is also South Korea’s and Hong Kong’s first trip to the country since the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup. Thailand and Indonesia were here for the 30th Southeast Asian Games while this will be the first time Guam pay the country a visit.
For the federation, it is grateful for this chance to showcase the country’s hosting capabilities even in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is honored and humbled to be chosen as one of the hosts for the last round FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers this coming February,” read SBP president Al Panlilio’s statement.
“The SBP is excited to show them the same warmth of Filipino hospitality even under these difficult circumstances.”
FIBA has gone on record to laud the PBA’s handling of its own bubble from October to December.
The SBP has guaranteed that it will implement the same guidelines as the pro league, and more.
“We are thankful for FIBA’s trust in our capacity to host not just a successful tournament but, more importantly, a safe one. We’re glad to have met their health standards and are looking forward to welcoming Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand as well as Australia, New Zealand, Guam, and Hong Kong from Group C,” it continued.
“We’re also thankful to the PBA for sharing with us their expertise after successfully hosting the PBA Bubble and we’re looking forward to working hand-in-hand with them, the involved Philippine government agencies, and other Philippine basketball stakeholders in this unique opportunity.”
In Pool A, the Philippines is 3-0 while South Korea is 2-0. Indonesia is 1-2, while Thailand is dead last with a 0-4 slate.
Group C, however, has only played a total of three games.
New Zealand is 2-0, while Australia is 1-1. Both Guam and Hong Kong are 0-1.
