SBP makes bid for 2011 FIBA-Asia

MANILA, Philippines - The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas yesterday formalized its bid to host the 2011 FIBA-Asia Championship, furnishing the world cage body a letter of intent.

“We already gave our letter of intent to FIBA-Asia for 2011 hosting,” said SBP executive director Noli Eala in a statement.

Eala said he was with Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ Serbian coach Rajko Toroman and SBP official Bernie Atienza when they talked to FIBA-Asia officials Sheikh Saud Al Thani, deputy secretary-general Hagop Khajarian and board member Jaemin Lee to discuss the country’s bid to stage the event which serves as a qualifier for the World Championship and the Olympics.

“We gave four reasons, first it’s the silver anniversary of Edsa People Power 1 in 2011, second it will be the first major sports event of new incoming president of RP, third it’s nearly 40 years since we last hosted the men’s championship, and last, to show SBP as a strong member of the FIBA-Asia family,” said Eala.

Eala said other countries which had previously shown interest to host the event had either backed out or failed to meet the FIBA requirements.

“There are already some cities and countries that have been scratched off the list,” said Eala.

That includes Tehran, Iran and Lebanon for political uncertainty and Korea and Japan for their lack of interest.“It seems only Jordan could be considered aside from Manila, but we have the inside track,” said Eala. – Joey Villar