With vaccines already making
their way around the world, and countries beginning their vaccination programs
as early as they could, the ideal picture is that somehow the worst of the
COVID-19 pandemic will soon be over. But a closer look at the situation on the
ground proves that such beliefs are risky, even dangerous. Sporting events
remain at the mercy of pandemic-related cautionary regulations. The Philippines
cancelled its hosting the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers earlier
this year, letting Doha, Qatar handle it. But before the first games could be
played, the alternate venue also bowed out.
The Philippine Star reports that there will be no third window qualifying
games for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup happening later this month at Doha, Qatar.
This was confirmed in the early morning of Friday, February 12, by the Samahang
Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), which received the word from the Saudi Basketball
Federation. Apparently the Doha sports bubble, where qualifiers for FIBA Asia
Groups A (including the Philippines), B and E are to be contested, has been
compromised by a rise in new COVID cases in the region. This also affects
Bahrain, where qualifiers for Group C were cancelled Thursday.
No thanks to the pandemic, which
has painfully reminded the world that it is still there, the Philippine men’s
national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas just saw their cementing a spot at the
FIBA Asia Cup foiled outside of the hard court. Presently they are still in
their Calamba, Laguna training bubble looking forward to facing two games
against South Korea and one against Indonesia from February 18 to 22. While a
second postponement of their remaining Group A qualifying games would be a
relief, not being able to play other teams again after intense preparation could
drive them to frustration.
The SBP notes that FIBA is
already hard at work looking for a third location to hold the final window of
their Asia Cup qualifiers. They would have to hurry as the main tournament will
be held in Jakarta this August, unless a drastic worsening of the pandemic
situation leads to it being called off.
Image courtesy of ESPN 5
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