Doha bubble of 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers is cancelled, says SBP

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said the Doha bubble of the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers, which was supposed to be played on Feb. 17-23, is cancelled following the announcement of Qatar officials.

In a statement, the SBP on Friday said it has received a letter from FIBA Executive Director-Asia Hagop Khajirian about the cancellation of events hosted in Qatar due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the country.

“The SBP is saddened by the development especially because we know the kind of work that our Gilas Pilipinas Men’s pool has done in Calamba,” SBP President Al Panlilio said.

“Although we are saddened by the situation, we also understand the predicament faced by the Qatar Basketball Federation as they had no choice but to follow the mandate of their government,” he added.

Teams that will be affected by the said cancellation include countries playing in Group A, where the Philippines, Korea, and Thailand are included, and Groups B (China, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia) and E (Iran, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar).

Gilas Pilipinas, which is currently training in Calamba, Laguna, was supposed to fly out to Doha after February 14. Filipino hoops sensation Kai Sotto also went back to Manila to join the said training.

FIBA on Thursday also announced that the match between Hong Kong and Guam, which is set to be played in the FIBA bubble in Manama, is also cancelled due to travel restrictions set by the Bahrain authorities. However, the remaining Group C game between Australia and New Zealand will push through on February 20 in Cairns, Australia.

Prior to the cancellation of the Doha tournament, the Philippines was supposed to host the bubble for the continental qualifiers. However, it was cancelled as well due to the country's travel restrictions.

SBP said FIBA will now study alternatives for the cancelled games. – RC, GMA News