The Philippines was officially tapped to host some of the remaining games of the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers in mid-June after being postponed twice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
FIBA Asia’s regional office in Beirut, Lebanon announced late Friday, April 9, that Clark, Pampanga will hold games in Group A, B and C under a bubble setup on June 16 to 20, barring another health crisis that may force another postponement.
Games in Group E and F will take place in Amman, Jordan on June 12 to 14.
Clark was once again tapped to host the continental qualifiers after originally begging off due to the travel restrictions imposed by the government.
FIBA later named Doha as replacement, only for those plans to be scrapped because of a spike in COVID-19 cases in Qatar.
Though the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas will now have plenty of time to prepare, the fluidity of the COVID-19 crisis is expected to pose a major challenge.
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Cases have spiked in the past month, prompting the government to re-impose Enhanced Community Quarantine regulations in Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan.
The return of ECQ forced a stoppage in the training bubble of Gilas Pilipinas at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
Pampanga is under the most loosest Modified General Community Quarantine guideline, though the local government has imposed stricter measures in order to prevent the spread of the virus.