BY WAYLON GALVEZ
Like other national sports associations, the lockdown due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the local and international programs of Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
SBP President Al Panlilio said on Monday the most important consideration now, however, is to ‘flatten the curve’ before thinking of resuming with the various sports tournaments.
He said the health of the players is the primary concern of the federation once international events resume, including FIBA-sanctioned qualifying events that were halted due to the pandemic.
“Our main priority is the safety of the players – no ifs and buts,” said Panlilio. “If we can’t guarantee that (safety), we will not participate.”
“As you know, the Olympics has already been canceled.”
The 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo has been postpone to July 2021.
Two Gilas Pilipinas matches in the FIBA Asia Cup 2021 Qualifiers have been canceled last month.
The Filipinos were supposed to play Thailand in the first window last Feb. 20 and Indonesia on Feb. 23.
The organizers have not yet released new dates for those two games.
The tournament also serves as the team’s preparation for the 2023 World Cup, which the country is co-hosting with Indonesia and Japan.
Because of the pandemic, Panlilio said anything that has something to do with preparation has been on a wait-and-see situation.
“We don’t have a choice but to get ready (once everything is back to normal),” Panlilio said. “But everyone is affected (at the moment).”
Aside from the tournaments here and abroad, different activities of the SBP have also been halted including basketball clinics for coaches and referees in various places in the province.
