GILAS Pilipinas and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas have raised concern over the staging of FIBA Asia Cup 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with the current tension in the Middle East.
Gilas coach Tim Cone said the SBP is in constant communication with FIBA on whether the tournament will still be pushing through in Jeddah amid the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
“The big question in our mind right now, and we are not going to make too big of a deal about it, but will we continue to play in Jeddah with all the things that are going on in the Middle East right now?
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"Whether they will change the venue or such and that’s something that we are monitoring with FIBA as well,” said Cone last Saturday during the Power and Play program of Noli Eala.
The FIBA Asia Cup 2025 is slatted from August 5 to 17 with 16 teams, including the Philippines, competing, but tensions escalated on Sunday after the United States and Israel struck three of Iran’s alleged nuclear facilities.
Safety the primary concern
Cone said safety is the primary concern of the federation and the national team.
“Erika Dy (SBP executive director) is in contact with FIBA everyday and we have questions about that. A lot of stuff going on in that area. We wonder if it’s going to push through or maybe the venue will change,” said Cone.
Gilas has already put together a training plan where they are looking to begin preparations on June 30, at the earliest, with weekly Monday practices before they ramp up the build-up during the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup finals.
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