Lebanon to Host FIBA Asia Qualifying Event

Lebanon have been awarded the FIBA 2013 edition of the biennial meet which serves as the regional qualifier for the 2014 World Championship beating competition from Philippines.

FIBA Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian, and a Lebanese, thumb said the Philippines would be on line to get the 2013 hosting rights should Lebanon later declare it’s not ready to stage the event as it did in 2011.

It’s a sad news for the Philippine cage officials who thought they were able to make a good case for the country in a 20-minute audio-visual presentation before the FIBA Asia executive board.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan, executive director Sonny Barrios, former ABC secretary general Mauricio Martelino and PBA commissioner Chito Salud made the presentation for the Philippines.

Pangilinan and Salud were already with the national team making a courtesy call on Ambassador Manolo Lopez in the Philippine Embassy when they heard of FIBA Asia’s decision.

Dirty politics might have come into play with Lebanon looking so confident, sending only star player Fadi El-Khatib to present their bid.

“I think I covered everything,” said El-Khatib, in casual wear, after his presentation.

The Philippines was the first to present, and Filipino officials were of the impression that they would get the nod of the board.

“They’re very friendly and they’re all very open. Their only question was the schedule. We said we’re flexible,” Pangilinan said.

The PBA commissioner assured the group that the PBA would free up its schedule the whole months of August and September.

In the end, the board chose to bring the event Lebanon.