FIBA defers decision on Rio qualifier

MANILA, Philippines – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will have to wait a little longer if the country would be granted hosting rights for the Olympic world qualifier as the FIBA moved to January its decision, including on the draw for the groupings.

The FIBA board decides on Jan. 19 on which countries will host the three qualifying events, then conducts the draw on Jan. 26.

FIBA’s postponement of its meeting originally set Nov. 23 and 24 could be an indication that a good number of countries beat the Nov. 12 deadline for the submission of formal bids to host the final qualifying event for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

“They said due to technical matter they’re moving the decision to Jan. 19. They may need more time to assess and evaluate the bids, but I’m just guessing,” SBP executive director Sonny Barrios told The STAR.

In their official communiqué to the SBP, the FIBA said they would be visiting and inspecting possible sites.

“I guess, we have no problem with that. They’re already familiar with MOA (Mall of Asia Arena). We have identified MOA as the venue in our bid,” said Barrios.

The SBP sent the soft copy of its bid via email Tuesday and the hard copies via a courier service Wednesday.

Expressing interest to make their own bids earlier were Mexico, Canada, Italy, Turkey, Russia, Germany, Serbia and Iran.

Barrios said they would ask FIBA which countries formalize their bids.

The SBP hopes to bring over one of the qualifiers in the country as the local cage body is determined to have a fighting chance at a return stint in the quadrennial games.

Coach Tab Baldwin and his 17-man pool from the PBA have started their once-a-week training Monday, while the SBP has also begun negotiating a new playing contract with naturalized player Andray Blatche.

The three qualifiers will be held simultaneously on July 5-11. The top teams from the three tournaments earn a place in the Rio Games.

Earning berths to the wildcard competition are France, Serbia, Greece, Italy and Czech Republic from Europe, Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico from America, Angola, Tunisia and Senegal from Africa, New Zealand from Oceania and the Philippines, Iran and Japan from Asia.

The Philippines has never made the Olympics since 1972 in Munich.