MANILA – The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) on Friday thanked the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) for approving the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers (ACQ) bubble to be held in Angeles from June 16 to 20.
"The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas thanks the IATF for approving our hosting of the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers from June 16 to 20 in Clark, Pampanga," the SBP said in a statement, hours after Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque announced the approval of the bubble.
The SBP also thanked Philippine Sports Commission chairman Butch Ramirez and the National Task Force against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon for extending their hand in setting up the needed protocols to get the government's nod.
The SBP also said that it "has been working with FIBA, government agencies, and other partners to ensure a successful and, more importantly, a safe bubble".
The Philippines will host three groups for the third window of the FIBA ACQ, namely Groups A, B, and C.
Gilas Pilipinas is part of Group A, which also features longtime rival South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.
However, only three teams from each of Groups B and C are heading to Angeles as Malaysia and New Zealand have begged off from joining the bubble primarily due to concerns over the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
The games will be held at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center, while everyone will be billeted at the Quest Hotel inside the Clark Freeport Zone. The hotel is under the jurisdiction of Mabalacat City.
"We’re looking forward to hosting our friends from Groups A, B, and C and showing them the kind of hospitality that the Philippines is known for," the SBP said.
The association added that the biggest winner of the bubble is the Filipino basketball fans who want to see more action amid the pandemic.
"The SBP knows that Filipino basketball fans have waited a long time for this and we’re just as excited as they are to have international basketball in our country again," the SBP said. (PNA)
