Fiba to use bubble set-up for qualifying tournaments

MANILA, Philippines—Fiba will adopt a “bubble-type” environment for the next two windows of the Continental Cup qualifiers including the Asia Cup, which the Philippines is part of.

Basketball’s governing body decided that the confined environment is the best way for them to resume competitions amid the COVID-19 pandemic for the windows set for November 2020 and February 2021.

The decision was made in consideration “of the health and safety of players, coaches, and officials, and following a recommendation from the Medical Commission and the Competitions Commission, the Executive Committee.”

Fiba qualifying games were usually held in a home-and-away format. This time, games will be played inside a confined environment with each “bubble” housing four or eight teams, or one or two qualification groups.

Statement regarding the November 2020 and February 2021 Qualifiers pic.twitter.com/Rk8r8V8jxa

— FIBA Media (@FIBA_media) September 18, 2020

PCR tests will be required for all the individuals staying inside the controlled environment inside the host city.

Host cities will be decided at regional levels and will be announced in due time, Fiba said.

Gilas Pilipinas is in Group A with South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand and holds a 1-0 record in the competition after a 100-70 win over Indonesia on February 23.

The Philippines was originally set to play South Korea on the road on November 27 and then Thailand three days later before hosting Indonesia on February 18 and South Korea on the 21st in 2021.

Gilas has yet to reconvene since the last window due to lockdown protocols implemented in the Philippines.