FILE – SBP President Al Panlilio. INQUIRER PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas threw its support to the Indonesia Basketball Association (Perbasi) after Fiba decided to move the 2021 Asia Cup to 2022.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas President Al Panlilio said Perbasi’s hosting of the Asia Cup would greatly prepare Indonesia for its responsibilities in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup which it will co-host with Japan and the Philippines.
“We commiserate with our friends from Indonesia during these very difficult times,” said Panlilio.
“Hosting the FIBA Asia Cup was a source of pride from the PERBASI and, although it had to be postponed, we’re looking forward to competing there once the entire world gets a better grip of this COVID-19 situation. We know that the FIBA Asia Cup will be a great primer to Indonesia’s co-hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with Japan and the Philippines.”
Fiba decided to postpone the Asia Cup due to the COVID-19 pandemic especially with Indonesia recently becoming a hotbed of the virus.
Panlilio, who also serves as the Second Vice President of the Fiba Asia Central Board, said the governing body prioritized the safety of those involved in the tournament thus forcing them to postpone the continental tournament.
“The safety of everyone involved was the priority of FIBA and this led to the decision to postpone the FIBA Asia Cup,” said Panlilio.
Gilas Pilipinas, one of the 13 teams that have already qualified for the Asia Cup, flew to Jordan on Thursday to compete in the King Abdullah Cup in what would’ve been its preparation for the Asia Cup.