Different pathways to LA

Qualifying for the Olympics takes a different route depending on the sport. In tennis, the door leading to the 2028 LA Games is open to the singles gold medalists of the 2026 Asian Games, 2027 Pan American Games, 2027 African Games and 2027 Pacific Games on condition the players are ranked in the top 500. That means the winners of the men’s and women’s competitions in Nagoya will automatically book tickets to the next Olympics.

In basketball, qualification to LA disregards continental meets like the Asian Games. Only 12 teams will make it to both 5x5 and 3x3 events for men and women so participation is extremely exclusive. Five gold medals are up for grabs in tennis where the events are singles and doubles for men and women and mixed doubles. It’s four gold medals in basketball, two each for 5x5 and 3x3.

Booking basketball tickets to LA goes through the 2027 FIBA World Cup and four Olympic qualifying tournaments for men’s 5x5 and the 2026 FIBA World Cup and four Olympic qualifying tournaments for women’s 5x5. In 3x3, the pathways are different. Five spots for men and women will be allocated via regional rankings (one each for Africa, Americas, Europe and two for Asia-Pacific) and six additional slots will be determined through Olympic qualifying tournaments, including universality events and an Olympic Qualifier Series. Outright berths are given to the US as host country.

Because the Asian Games are not a qualifier for either the FIBA World Cup or Olympics, the Japan B-League and Korean Basketball League aren’t required to release players for national duty unlike in FIBA windows. In the Philippines, SBP and PBA are closely aligned so the release of PBA players for Gilas is seamless. It’s the same kind of cooperation with UAAP.

In Nagoya, Gilas coach Tim Cone couldn’t bring in Filipinos playing in overseas leagues like Kevin Quiambao, Carl Tamayo, Dwight Ramos, Mike Phillips, AJ Edu and Quentin Millora-Brown. Perhaps, in the future, the Olympic Council of Asia could request the National Olympic Committees of Japan and Korea to seek the cooperation of their basketball federations for the release of overseas players to join the Asian Games.

Players shouldn’t be placed in a situation where their pro contracts are in jeopardy if they represent their country in tournaments like the Asian and SEA Games. Bobby Ray Parks was allowed by his B-League team to play in last year’s SEA Games so exemptions may be made on a case-to-case basis. The Asian Games are a platform for athletes to display national pride. OCA should make sure they’re not restricted by pro teams to represent their country.