Doha to host U-18 tourney as scheduled

MANILA, Philippines - The FIBA-Asia Under-18 Championship will proceed as scheduled from Aug. 19-28 in Doha, Qatar.

Phl national youth coach Jamike Jarin yesterday said he was informed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas that the event that was reportedly postponed the other day will go on as scheduled.

“SBP just told me today (yesterday) it will push through,” said Jarin, who is leaving on Wednesday to handle another national youth squad for the FIBA U-17 World Championship from Aug 6-16 in Dubai.

FIBA-Asia secretary-general Hagop Khajirian made the announcement the other day that host Qatar has pulled out without citing reasons for its last-minute decision.

The Doha-bound team, called “Batang Gilas,” will be reinforced by Los Angeles Cathedral standout Kobe Paras, son of former PBA Rookie MVP Benjie Paras.

Paras was expected to arrive yesterday after securing a clearance from Cathedral in California last week.