FIBA-ASIA TOURNEY TO PROCEED AS SCHEDULED
By Eddie Alinea
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 12 Apr 2013
MANILA (PNA) -- The 2013 FIBA-Asia championship the country is hosting will push through as originally scheduled. Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas executive director and event CEO Sonny Barrios assured yesterday that the August 1-11 tournament which serves as the qualifier for the 2014 World Basketball Championship will not be moved to another date as earlier reported.
?Yes, the FIBA-Asia world qualifying tournament will proceed as scheduled,? Barrios declared in yesterday?a SCOOP session at the Kamayan Restaurant-Padre Faura, adding that, indeed, there was a request from several member countries to postpone the series to a later date.
Barrios, who came to the session with former ABC secretary general and deputy CEO of the Moying Martelino, lawyer Aga Francisco of the SBP and deputy executive director Bernie Atienza, announced, in fact, that the launching of the championship logo has been scheduled for tomorrow at the MALL OF Asia Arena during a double header in the on-going PBA Commissioner?s Cup.
?There really was request from Muslim countries to move the date of the tournament due to the observation of the traditional Ramadan, which coincides with the date of the championship,? Barrios said during the forum, sponsored by AKTV and FILA.
?We in the SBP, along with the Mall of Asia Arena management tried to accommodate the request and made a thorough study of the situation, but, as MoA (main hub of the championship) explained, everything has been set in place and and that to change the date would mean disturbing the already prepared schedule of events, including highlights outside of the playing court,? the former PBA commissioner reasoned out.
?Games have already been scheduled, including which teams will play at the alternate venue, which is the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. ?Yung mga side events before, during and after the tournament have already been set at kapag pinalitan natin ang date ng tournament, papalitan nating lahat ang mga bagay na na nakaayos na.?
?The formal lunch of the event logo will be held during a brief press briefing at the MoA press room during the half time break of the first game,? Barrios announced. ?The unveiling of the logo will be during the halftime break of the second game featuring the Barangay Ginebra-Talk ?N Text tussle.?
The drawing of lots for grouping and the actual scheduling of games will be held on June 6 to be presided over by the FIBA-Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian, also at MoA to be attended by representative each of the 16 competing teams. Ambassadors of member countries not sending representatives will be invited.
?The Philippines is the 13th team in the field, but as host, it is given the privilege of choosing which group it wants to play,? Barrios disclosed. ?That is one of the very few privileges a host country will enjoy. Kaya nga nagpapa-bid for the hosting eh, to enjoy some privilege.
Barrios said the core group of the local organizing committee (LOC) have been meeting twice a week to draw up plans how to make the championship a success.Among the working committees formed for the purpose are, besides the LOC, headed by SBP president Manuel V. Pangilinan and his deputy Ricky Vargas, the secretariat, headed by Atienza, Al Panlilio of finance, Francisco of operations, logistics of Amboy Castro, Willie Marcial and Virgil Villavicencio of media and Epok Quimpo and Patricia Hizon of marketing.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Eddie Alinea.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Stanford University’s Dante Kirkman Set to Return to the Ring at Fox Theater in Redwood City, CA
Sat, 02 Nov 2024EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM PROVIDES MAJOR FINANCIAL BOOST TO 100 UK AMATEUR BOXING CLUBS IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPIRE FIGHTING CHANCE
Sat, 02 Nov 2024The Scariest Division in Boxing
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 01 Nov 2024"Worcester Championship Boxing" Official Weights
Fri, 01 Nov 2024SCHOFIELD VS. TELLEZ GIRON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 01 Nov 2024WEIGHTS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Team USA Sends Five Boxers to the World Boxing U19 Championship Finals and a Chance at Gold
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Press Conference Notes: Robson Conceição and O'Shaquie Foster Promise to Settle Rivalry in Saturday's World Title Rematch
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Undefeated bantamweight prospect Dominique “Dimes” Crowder Ready to cash in on The Boardwalk
Fri, 01 Nov 2024Kevin Arquero rules 3rd Fide Master Angelito Z. Camer Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Plania stops Julio in 3rd round
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024MARIO "EL AZTECA" BARRIOS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Mama fails to win WBO NABO fly
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 31 Oct 2024Top Rank Presents Junior Lightweight World Championship: Robson Conceição vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2
Thu, 31 Oct 2024Membership of World Boxing rises to 51 National Federations after it approves applications from seven more countries
Thu, 31 Oct 2024