MANILA, Philippines — Gilas Pilipinas will re-adjust its training plans as it awaits the final details regarding the return of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in Clark, including the new schedule of matches.
The Nationals have already moved out of their training bubble in Calamba, Laguna following the cancellation of the window in Doha, Qatar the other day. They will reassemble when it’s time.
“We broke camp and allowed everyone to leave the bubble. We are waiting for FIBA’s new calendar,” Ryan Gregorio, special assistant to Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio, told The STAR yesterday.
Gilas spent three to four weeks at the Inspire Sports Academy in Laguna to prepare for the shelved Feb. 18-22 Group A matches against Asian rival South Korea and vastly-improved Indonesia in Qatar.
“We will meet soon to discuss (the new plans),” said coach Jong Uichico.
After the cancellation of the games in Doha, the SBP stepped up the plate to play host, a role that it originally was to perform.
FIBA executive director for Asia Hagop Khajirian said the SBP will host two groups while Lebanon will inherit one from Doha. No dates were given yet, according to Gregorio.
“Fixing the dates of the window to be created under this unexpected and unordinary situation will still need about 10 days to be finalized,” Hagop wrote in a memo issued Friday night.
Clark was actually the original site for the said window but was forced to call it off due to travel restrictions last January.
Qatar stepped in but eventually pulled the plug, too, after health authorities ordered the cancellation of all events due to rising virus cases in the country.
With lighter travel restrictions in the Philippines and with chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan providing guidance, the SBP offered to re-assume hosting chores.
“SBP Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan was really adamant about volunteering once again to host and it was under his leadership that led us to make the necessary moves to get the ball rolling again,” Panlilio said.
Like the first time, the SBP will closely coordinate with the IATF in staging the qualifiers in Clark.
“It’s still very fluid. Nothing is cast in stone,” SBP director for operations Butch Antonio said.