Philippines - Cage body earns right to host Fiba meet
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala announced yesterday that the Philippines gained the nod to host the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in May. Eala said, however, that the SBP was unsuccessful in its bid to host the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship, which went to Lebanon. Eala received the confirmation via e-mail from FIBA-Asia secretary general Yeoh Cheo Hock last December.
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Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Noli Eala announced yesterday that the Philippines gained the nod to host the FIBA-Asia Champions Cup in May.
Eala said, however, that the SBP was unsuccessful in its bid to host the FIBA-Asia Men’s Championship, which went to Lebanon.
Eala received the confirmation via e-mail from FIBA-Asia secretary general Yeoh Cheo Hock last December.
Lebanon actually was bidding for the two events, but had to settle for the men’s championship, which serves as the qualifying tournament for the 2012 Olympics.
“We are excited kahit hindi men’s qualifier ang nakuha natin. Sayang. Pero, the Champions Cup is still the next best thing to host for the Philippines,” said Eala.
The Champions Cup is considered as the premier club championship of FIBA-Asia.
The Philippines last hosted this tournament in 1996, when the then Junel Baculi-coached Hapee Toothpaste squad beat Japan Isuzu-Lynx, 77-74 for the title.
It was the Philippines’ second straight crown after RP-Andok’s clinched the title the previous year with a 107-82 victory over Malaysia-Petronas when it was held in Kuala Lumpur.
Overall, the Philippines had won four club championships, dating back to 1984 when RP-Northern Cement under Ron Jacobs defeated China’s Bayi Rockets, 82-56, in Ipoh, Malaysia.
The following year, the Swift-Philippine Amateur Basketball League quintet pummeled China-Liaoning Hunters, 84-69, to again win the crown when it was held in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Last year, Iran’s Mahram Tehran won its second straight crown at the expense of Qatar’s Al-Rayyan squad in Doha, Qatar.
SBP president Manny Pangilinan lauded FIBA-Asia’s decision to award the Philippines the hosting rights for the FIBA-Asia Cup.
“This is a testimony to the ever improving relations between the FIBA-Asia and SBP. It is a great opportunity for the SBP to welcome our Asian neighbors to our country after a long absence, and provide them with a memorable championship,” said Pangilinan. Peter Atencio