Palace: Chinese mafia rigging FIBA hosting contest has no basis

MANILA, Philippines - Malacañang is not supporting claims that the Chinese mafia rigged the bidding for the right to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said there is no basis to such allegations and that the Philippines has accepted defeat.

"Wala tayong batayan hinggil diyan. Nagpahayag na si Ginoong (Manny) Pangilinan ng pagtanggap sa desisyon ng FIBA," Coloma said in a text message.

China beat out the Philippines in a 14-7 vote at a FIBA meeting in Tokyo on Friday.

China touted its superior infrastructure and facilities while the Philippines banked on Filipinos' basketball passion and social media reach.

According to a radio report, Bacolod Mayor Monico Puentevella supposedly claimed that the FIBA hosting results were rigged after he spotted a former FIBA president at the bidding hall in Japan on Friday.

Puentevella, who was part of the Philippine delegation, reportedly alleged that the former FIBA leader was Chinese and once belonged to the Hong Kong mafia.

'Heads up high'

Meanwhile, Coloma said the Philippines should not be ashamed for losing its bid to host the FIBA World Cup.

He commended the Philippine delegation that was composed of Pangilinan, Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del Rosario, Sen. Sonny Angara and boxing icon Sarangani Rep. Manny Pacquiao for their "spirited endeavor."

"We put our best foot forward and we can hold our heads up high. We will continue to promote the Philippines as an investment, tourism and events destination," Coloma said in an earlier text message.

Responding to China's showcase of its superior infrastructure, Coloma said the Aquino administration continues to implement projects to improve the country's capability to host various events in the future.

"Patuloy naman nating itinataguyod ‘yung pagpapalawak ng ating mga imprastruktura, at kung makikita natin ‘yung latag ng (mga proyekto), lalo na ‘yung mga public-private partnerships ay pinakamarami pong naitalang ganyang mga proyekto sa ilalim ng kasalukuyang administrasyon. Sampung proyekto na 'yung ganap nang ipinapatupad," he said in radio interview over the weekend.

"Kaya darating po tayo diyan sa puntong ‘yan na magiging sapat at tunay na competitive at world-class ang ating pasilidad sa buong bansa at magiging mas kanais-nais pa tayong destinasyon ng investment, tourism, at iba't ibang events," he added.

The 2019 FIBA tournament will feature 32 teams for the first time.

It will be the first World Cup played under FIBA's new qualifying process which begins in November 2017 and last 18 months.

The United States is the defending champion while the Philippines seeks to qualify for the tournament again after ending a decades-long absence in the world stage during the contest in Spain last year. - Louis Bacani with the Associated Press