Ninoy Aquino stadium picked as alternate venue for FIBA Asia tiff

MANILA, Philippines – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas has chosen the Ninoy Aquino Stadium as the alternate venue of the 27th FIBA Asia Championship slated Aug. 1-11 at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.

"Yes, I'm finalizing it today with the Philippine Sports Commission," SBP deputy executive director Bernie Atienza told The STAR.

"The Ninoy Aquino Stadium is a logical choice. No. 1, it’s with the PSC, which is one of our hosting partners, and No. 2 due to its proximity to the main hub, which is the MOA Arena," he added.

Atienza said the SBP and the PSC through chairman Richie Garcia are looking at refurbishing the air-conditioned venue, one of the two basketball gyms located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

"The SBP hopes to hold some games in the group stagings at the Ninoy but majority of the games will still be held at MOA," said Atienza.

The SBP is also looking at the newly renovated Arellano U Gym, which is located at Taft Ave. near Vito Cruz, Manila, and facilities of Emilio Aguinaldo, Lyceum and Letran as possible training sites for teams participating in the biennial meet.

A total of 16 teams, including Smart Gilas Pilipinas II, the country's national team, are flying to the country this August to battle it out for three slots to the 2014 FIBA World Championship in Spain.

The Philippines got the hosting rights after original host country Lebanon backed out early this year due to the continuing unrest there.