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| (Image Source: GMA News/FIBA) |
The Inter-Agency Task Force Against Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has officially approved the request of the Samahang Basketbol Ng Pilipinas (SBP) to host the third and final window of the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) Asia Cup Qualifiers which will take place on June 16-20, 2021 in Clark, Pampanga. The games will be held under a "bubble-type" setting considering that the country's hosting would be subject to health and safety protocols mandated by the Philippine government due to the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic based on IATF-EID Resolution 114.
According to the said resolution, the testing and quarantine protocols of arriving foreign participants shall be subject to FIBA-required protocols as presented, to the extent applicable, without prejudice to the entry travel restrictions. Under the resolution, all non-player participants not covered by the FIBA rules, whether foreign or local, are mandated to self-isolate upon arrival at the venue and undertake a reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on the sixth day before their release while the designated hotels within the bubble shall not accept guests outside of the FIBA participants. The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the national government agency with the visitorial and supervisory authority, has been directed to "assume responsibility for monitoring and supervising the compliance of health and safety protocols during the event".
The SBP, led by its president Alfredo S. Panlilio who is also the President and CEO of Smart Communications and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) 1st Vice-President, thanked the IATF-EID for allowing the Philippines' hosting of the final window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers to push through as well as Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Butch Ramirez and National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Hizon for extending their hand in setting up the necessary protocols to get the government's nod. The SBP also said that it has been working with FIBA, government agencies and other partners to ensure a successful and, most importantly, safe "bubble". The association also noted that the biggest winners of the incoming bubble are none other than the Filipino basketball fans clamoring for more action amidst the pandemic game.
The Philippines will host three groups - A, B and C - for the third window of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers with the games slated to take place inside the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Angeles City while participating teams will be billeted at the Quest Hotel, which is under the jurisdiction of Mabalacat City, inside the Clark Freeport Zone. Group A consists of Philippines, Korea, Thailand and Indonesia while Group B includes Chinese Taipei, China and Japan. On the other hand, Group C comprises of Australia, Guam and Hong Kong. Malaysia and New Zealand, who are supposed to play in their respective groups, have begged off from the bubble due to concerns on the COVID-19 situation in their respective nations.
