The FIBA Asia U18 Championship scheduled in Doha, Qatar, this month was reset and Batang Gilas head coach Jamike Jarin said the postponement could both benefit and work against his team.
Jarin said the postponement of the tournament, originally scheduled Aug.19 to 28, would give the national squad more time to prepare for the continental qualifier, which offers a slot in the Fiba World U19 in Greece next year.
But at the same time, the multi-titled high school coach from Ateneo said the composition of the team may be affected since many of his players, including the slam-dunking Kobe Paras, were already allowed to play by their schools.
Paras, son of PBA legend Benjie Paras, was about to fly home today after getting the go-signal from his school, LA Cathedral in California, to suit up for the national five.
“Once they move the tournament to September or October, it will coincide with the Final Four schedule of the UAAP and the NCAA,” Jarin said.
“If that happens, we might face problems on the eligibility of the players,” he added.
Without citing any reason, the Qatar Basketball Federation suddenly withdrew from its commitment to host the U18 Asian championship.
The tournament was originally scheduled September 2013 before it was moved to Aug. 19, three days after the conclusion of the Fiba World U17 in Dubai where the national dribblers, also coached by Jarin, are set to compete.
Fiba Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian informed the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas about the postponement and told local basketball officials that they’re looking for a new host.
“I’m sure that we’re not the only one who got affected. The other countries will encounter the same problem, too,” Jarin said. “Let’s just hope and pray for the best.”