WHILE Japan and the Philippines have secured an outright place in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup, its co-host Indonesia will have to earn its ticket.
According to a press release sent by Fiba to media outlets, Indonesia can only gain a slot in the World Cup in 2023 if it placed in the top eight of the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup. Fiba added the decision was made by its executive committee.
That heightened the stakes for Indonesia, coached by Rajko Toroman, in the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup.
But the problem is, Indonesia is at best a longshot to make the tournament proper through the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup qualifiers that were suspended because of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Fiba usually grants automatic qualification to the hosts but it will be different this time with three countries holding the competition for the first time in history.
As it is, Indonesia is in third place in Group A ofthe qualifiers, behind South Korea and the Philippines. Only two teams from the group will advance outright to the 2021 Fiba Asia Cup with the third-placers from the six groups vying for the final two spots.
Indonesia currently holds a 0-2 card following defeats to Korea, 109-76, and Gilas Pilipinas, 100-70.
As co-hosts, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan will stage elimination games in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup. The Philippines will host the playoff matches including the gold-medal match.
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