SBP bids to host 2013 Fiba Asia

MANILA, Philippines - Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas is vying for the hosting of the next FIBA Asia championship in an effort to sustain the gains of its Smart Gilas program and in the hope of making the World Basketball Championship in 2014.

SBP president Manny V. Pangilinan is hopeful they will gain the hosting rights, having two good venues to offer in the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the soon-to-be-opened state-of-the-art gymnasium of the Henry Sy Group in the Mall of Asia complex.

“(FIBA secretary general Patrick) Bauhmann said we can submit our bid until the end of September, and I told him our bid will come,” said Pangilinan, encouraged by Smart Gilas Pilipinas’ fourth-place finish in the recent Asian meet in Wuhan, China.

“Of course, there will be other bidders but let’s see what we can do. I have informed Mr. Bauhmann of the coliseum being built by the business group of Henry Sy. I also told him that we’ll refurbish the Smart Araneta Coliseum. So we have two good venues,” Pangilinan said further.

Lebanon is also keen to host the 2013 event but FIBA officials are not impressed with their facilities.

It was the same reason why the 2011 FIBA Asia tourney was moved from Beirut to Wuhan.

Pangilinan is convinced Smart Gilas will have a good shot at making the 2014 world meet if the regional qualifier is held in Manila.

It’s easier to make the world championship than the Olympics with three slots allotted for the continent in the former.

Pangilinan earlier vowed to keep their Smart Gilas program until it finally realizes its goal to make the grade for the Olympics.

The Nationals narrowly missed the 2012 FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament in dropping their last two games in Wuhan versus Jordan and Korea.

A win in either match should have guaranteed Smart Gilas a seat in the world Olympic qualifier.

Pangilinan said they would assess the situation of coach Rajko Toroman whose contract is expiring this month.

Toroman said he’ll also study his options.

“Before I make the decision concerning job offers, I’ll talk to MVP (Pangilinan). And of course I’ll take a vacation with my family. I haven’t been home in the last one and a half years,” said Toroman in a text message to The STAR.