PH loses FIBA Asia bid to Lebanon

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, led by Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan and Executive Director Sonny Barrios, presented to the FIBA Asia Executive Committee in Tokyo its bid to host the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship for men on Wednesday and was perceived to have the best chance to win it. But in the end, Lebanon pulled off a big upset.
 
With Japan being encouraged to host the women’s championships instead with their team among final four contenders, China hosting the recent editions of the tournament, and Iran and Qatar practically conceding, the Philippines seemed to be the top choice.
 
The SBP has put a lot of emphasis on our readiness to host the tournament.  During a recent visit to Manila FIBA Asia Secretary General Hagop Kajirian saw for himself the brand new, world-class SM MOA Arena facilities, stayed in the five-star hotel being eyed for the executives, and again got a dose of renowned Filipino hospitality and passion for the game.

By 2013, four decades would have passed since the Philippines last hosted this grand regional event.  We also have a competitive team that could make it to the finals which gives assurance that Filipinos would fill the stands to watch and follow the tournament.

The SBP showed that they surpassed all the requirements, which included hotels, a main and secondary playing venue, practice gyms being in close proximity of each other; having more than the required transportation, cuisine and extensive medical care if needed; media and government support, and the backing of the entire basketball community.
 
Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Chito Salud was also in Japan to show his support.  The league would have changed its schedule and would have aggressively promoted the tournament during the upcoming season.

All these and more were emphasized by SBP through a bid hand-out and a video especially produced for the presentation to the board who gave very positive feedback.  “They applauded our presentation”, shared Barrios.

Despite the tremendous effort, the hosting of the FIBA Asia Championship for Men was awarded to Lebanon.  Their bid was presented by national team player Fadi El Khatib who came dressed in casual clothes - a total contrast to the powerhouse cast that came to support SBP’s presentation.

“It’s Lebanon, with a clause that it will be given to the Philippines if they can’t make it”, shared Barrios.

Lebanon, where Hagop is from, will be hosting these games for the first time which serves as the Asian qualifier for the world championship in 2014.