Philippines 3x3 World Tour leg still on

MANILA, Philippines — The upcoming FIBA 3x3 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in India and 3x3 World Tour Masters leg here in Manila are still on amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, a federation official announced yesterday.

FIBA 3x3 event manager Ignacio Soriano said the events will push through as scheduled while reiterating that everything is under close observation on a day-to-day basis but added that a postponement remains a possibility.

“The coronavirus has not only affected China, (but) for now, the first reaction is to keep the OQT in India as it is,” said the FIBA executive during a discussion with 3x3 patron Chooks-to-Go yesterday regarding the OQT and the 3x3 World Tour Masters.

The first 3x3 OQT is slated in Bengaluru, India from March 18-22 while the second of the 13 FIBA 3x3 World Tour legs will be held at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong on May 2-3.

The country is slotted in Pool C with powerhouses Dominican Republic, Qatar, France and Slovenia. Only three teams from the 20-team OQT will be given slots to the Tokyo Olympics, where the 3x3 basketball discipline will be recognized as a medal event for the first time.

As for the 3x3 World Tour Masters, Soriano sees no reason as of now to call it off due to minimal effects of the COVID-19 in the Philippines, like in India.

“Here, we have no reason to have any alarm. The World Tour will happen for now. But again, there is force majeure. We don’t know what’s gonna happen today or tomorrow. But as of today, the World Tour in the Philippines is secured,” he added.

The world basketball governing body has previously called off certain games of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers first window scheduled this week.