After two cancellations, the Philippines is once again getting ready to host the 2021 Asia Cup Qualifiers’ third window in Clark, Pampanga.
Clark Development Corporation chief Vince Dizon is open to the prospect of having it in the province of Pampanga.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director Sonny Barrios said that they have gotten a positive response from the CDC.
The SBP is now into talks with the CDC on having four of the five group stages of the FIBA-Asia Cup qualifiers hosted again by the Philippines.
If it happens, it will most like be from June 14 to 20.
“SBP is reaching out to them (CDC). And we’re glad that they are still okay with it after two postponements,” said Barrios.
Last February, FIBA postponed the entire third window of the Asian Basketball Qualifiers after the Qatari government reimposed a series of coronavirus-related restrictions.
Most of the qualifiers from Group A, B, C and E were supposed to be held in the State of Qatar. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, Iran have likewise been affected by the postponement.
The restrictions implemented by the Qatari and Philippine authorities to prevent a surge in COVID-19 infections were the primary reason for the postponement.
Last January, travel restrictions imposed by the Philippine government forced organizers to cancel the staging of cagefest, set from Feb. 18 to 21, in Clark, Pampanga.
The winners of the qualifers will clinch slots to the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup that will be held in Indonesia in August.
Approval from Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on the staging of the window is now being sought by the SBP.
