SBP ready as Fiba Asia alternate venue, but…

THE PHILIPPINES is more than willing to stage the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship in the event designated host Lebanon backs out.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, however, wants the Fiba Asia executive board to inform it about the possible shift of venues from Beirut to Manila on or before Nov. 30.

SBP executive director Sonny Barrios said setting a deadline would provide them enough time to prepare for the tournament hosting chores, scheduled in September next year.

Designated as alternate venue, the Philippines lost its bid to host the continental qualifier for the 2014 Fiba World Basketball Championship after Fiba Asia awarded it to Lebanon.

Manila would have staged the tournament for the first time in 40 years.

“We would be grateful if you can inform us by way of a written note that the Philippines is the alternative host for the 2013 Fiba Asia Championship for men as decided by the Fiba Asia Executive Board in its meeting last week,” said Barrios, reading part of the SBP letter addressed to Fiba Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian, a Lebanese.

Barrios explained it would take seven to eight months to prepare for the tournament.

“In the event that the foregoing default option is exercised by Fiba Asia, you would appreciate that we will need sufficient time to arrange the necessary logistical requirements for holding an event of this scale and complexity.”

Barrios said the SBP needs to determine availability of the playing venue, choose the television coveror, and arrange hotel billeting and transportation, among others.

Barrios said the management of the Mall of Asia Arena, which the SBP had planned to hire in case Manila won the hosting rights, had inquired if the event could still be hosted by the country in case Labanon backs out.

Lebanon was supposed to host the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship for men but yielded the rights to second choice Wuhan, China.