With PBA Gilas support, SBP’s next step is bid for OQT hosting

MANILA, Philippines — After the PBA pledged its support for national team Gilas Pilipinas, the Philippine basketball federation is settings its sights on bidding to host the 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) slated for July 4 to 10 in 3 different cities around the world. 

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Sonny Barrios told Rappler in a text message Thursday, October 15 they have already received information from FIBA regarding the bidding process. (READ: MVP, SBP thank PBA for support to Gilas Pilipinas) 

FIBA Communications Director Patrick Koller confirmed to Rappler in an email that the Philippines will have until October 19 to submit its “expression of interest” to host.

SBP Vice President Al Panlilio said a day before that the federation will study the bid. 

“We know the advantage of holding it here – the fans, our 6th man,” Panlilio said. “Especially in a tournament where there are 17 other very tough countries to compete with, we need all the help we can gather.” 

Countries reportedly looking to bid to host include Canada, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Russia, Germany, and Serbia.  

Koller shared the timeline of the bidding process, which is as follows:

• October 19: Deadline for FIBA Asia Championship participants to submit expression of interest to host
• November 23: Bidding process concludes; FIBA’s Executive Committee to award hosting of 4 events (3 men’s OQT and 1 women’s OQT)
• November 24: Draw for OQTs to take place, “applying geographical and quality principles in order to balance the events/groups” 

According to Canada’s The Toronto Star, formal bids must be submitted to FIBA by November 11. 

The men’s OQT will have a total of 18 teams from around the world competing for 3 wildcard slots for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro from August 5 to 21.

Gilas Pilipinas earned a slot after settling for the silver medal in the recently concluded 2015 FIBA Asia Championship in China. Asian squads Iran and Japan are also included in the wildcard joust, which will see teams divided into 3 groups with the winner of each group advancing to the Olympics. 

Other countries participating in the qualifier are France, Serbia, Greece, Italy, and Czech Republic from Europe; Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico from the Americas; Angola, Tunisia, and Senegal from Africa; and New Zealand from Oceania. The 3 host cities will also get slots in the qualifier.  

If a qualified team such as the Philippines gets to host, then the next best non-qualified team from the respective zone will join the tournament. 

Playing before a solid home crowd of Filipino hoops junkies served as a big boost in their emotional run for a silver medal finish during the 2013 FIBA Asia hosting in Manila. 

“It’s the SBP’s call,” said incumbent PBA Chairman Robert Non, who spearheaded a special meeting with the league’s Board of Governors to a lend out 17 pro players to the national team and adjust the league’s schedule for the qualifier.

(READ: PBA names Olympic Qualifier Gilas player pool, pledges full support)  

“Of course we welcome it. Definitely we have the advantage there in the 6th man with the Filipino crowd.” — Rappler.com