RP has inside track in ABC bidding war

If FIBA (International Amateur Basketball Federation) chief Carl Ching Menky is to be believed, the Philippines has a 60-percent chance of hosting the 2007 Asian Basketball Confederation Championship, which serves as the region’s eliminations for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The Philippines’ chances are very good," said Carl Ching yesterday when he made a courtesy call on Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose "Peping" Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission officer-in-charge William "Butch" Ramirez in Makati City.

"There’s 60-percent possibility that the Philippines would win the bid," he said adding that the support given by the country’s top officials will be a big factor in gaining the ABC bid.

"With Peping (Cojuangco) and other officials helping, basketball will come up again, and we will help the Philippines host the ABC," said Carl Ching.

Cojuangco said they will also do their part in helping the country win the ABC hosting. "We’ll work it out, we’ll do our part here," said the former Tarlac congressman.

RP is bidding against Korea and China for the ABC meet, which stakes three slots for the Summer Olympics in Beijing. China as host has already secured the first slot leaving other Asian nations to contest the other berths.