Gilas Pilipinas: SBP, FIBA to follow PBA bubble for hosting

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) plans to take inspiration from the PBA’s bubble set-up when they gear up for the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers window hosting in February.

SBP President Al Panlilio bared per an online report that the PBA’s successful staging of a bubble conference, wherein Barangay Ginebra won the Philippine Cup title, apparently was recognized by FIBA.

“Because of the PBA bubble’s success, it really paved the way for us at SBP to really work with FIBA and offer the same Clark bubble to a FIBA competition in February … What interested FIBA in taking a look at this bubble was really our success in the PBA bubble, where health was really paramount.”

FIBA awarded the Philippines hosting a bubble in Clark, Pampanga this February. The federation resumed international basketball competitions while taking into consideration protocols and safety issues amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios shared that the body will be looking into the same venues and hotels the PBA utilized and perhaps add more since eight teams will participate.

“When FIBA asked us if we could host it like the PBA bubble, they were looking at the arrangement of the PBA bubble as is. The understanding is we will host under the exact conditions and facilities that we used within the PBA bubble.”

Gilas Pilipinas will face Korea twice and Indonesia once in the window which shall commence on February 18 and run until February 22.