Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, February 12) — The Philippines will once again host the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers third window games, according to the international basketball governing body.
FIBA’s move to re-award the hosting rights comes after health authorities in Qatar canceled the games on Friday due to increasing COVID-19 cases there.
The Philippines was tapped by FIBA to be the original hosts of Groups A and C third window games, but local basketball body Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas canceled the hosting last January 26 due to travel restrictions enforced to prevent the entry of new COVID-19 variants.
FIBA Executive Director for Asia Hagop Khajirian said the Philippines will still host two groups. So far, only Groups B and E are without a venue because of the changes. Group B is composed of Chinese Taipei, Japan, Malaysia, and China, while Group E consists of Qatar, Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.
No date has been set yet for the games. Originally, the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup third window games were scheduled from February 18 to 22 in Clark, Pampanga under a ‘bubble’ similar to the Philippine Basketball Association’s 2020 Philippine Cup setup. The same schedule was adopted when Qatar had assumed hosting duties.
Gilas Pilipinas currently leads and holds a 3-0 record in Group A and only needs one more win to qualify for the FIBA Asia Cup. Gilas is expected to face South Korea twice and Indonesia in the third and final window games.
