(CNN Philippines) — Which country will win the hosting bid for the 2019 FIBA World Cup: Philippines or China?
Within a month, FIBA will determine the host for the quadrennial event which was last hosted by Spain.
The Executive Committee of basketball’s world governing body is set to reconvene on June 16 and 17 after narrowing the choices to two in March.
Read: FIBA narrows search for hosting of 2019 Basketball World Cup
After that, the Central Board will hold a three-day meeting that will have naming the 2019 host as the main agenda. The Board is expected to come up with the final decision after the said meeting.
“Looking ahead to future editions of the FIBA Basketball World Cup, it was confirmed that the 2019 event will be played in Asia with China and the Philippines as the two candidates left in the race to host it,” said FIBA in a report released on its website.
“FIBA’s Central Board will make this final decision at its meeting in June.”
If the country earns the right to host the tournament, the national team, Gilas Pilipinas, will automatically secure a slot in the 32-team basketball conclave.
In January, FIBA officials inspected the five facilities: Mall of Asia Arena, SMART-Araneta Coliseum, Philippine Arena, and two more venues which are still in the blueprint stages.
After a few days in the Philippines, the evaluation team led by FIBA secretary general Patrick Baumann said the country has what it takes to host the event that will feature the best basketball teams and players in the world.
