Malaysia pullout clears way for Smart Gilas-RP in Stankovic Cup

The Philippines is returning to the International Basketball Association (FIBA)-Asia Stankovic Cup—without breaking a sweat.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) executive director Noli Eala said Malaysia withdrew from its supposed playoff match with Smart Gilas for the right to represent Southeast Asia in the Cup.

Eala said the Malaysian Basketball Association did not give any reason why they are pulling out from the do-or-die game.

“Malaysia backed out and we were informed by Dato Yeoh [Choo Hook, Fiba secretary-general]. There were discussions but we couldn’t agree on the schedule,” said Eala,

“Eventually, we said we can only play before the Manila Invitational Cup [which starts on June 22] or after the Invitationals. They apparently realized that it would be useless because the travel expenses are very costly,” he added.

The Philippines last sent a team in the Stankovic Cup in 2004. The team was composed of the Philippine College of Criminology varsity squad.

The country had a disappointing stint in that Cup, as the Nationals were beaten black and blue by Japan (53-105), India (93-111), Syria (65-96) and Kuwait (66-88).

Lebanon will host this year’s tournament from August 7 to 15 with some of the Asian powerhouse teams fielding their national squads in the biennial competition.

The other countries seeing action are Fiba-Asia champion Iran, defending champion Jordan, Qatar, South Korea, Japan and Uzbekistan.

“This tournament is good for us because it gives us more exposure and training for our Smart Gilas team,” said Eala. The Smart Gilas team will play a pocket tournament against Jordan and Dongguan New Century Leopards of the Chinese Basketball Association from June 24 to 27 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Eala said they already wrote the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) asking the league to allow the two automatic semifinalists in the Fiesta Cup to play in the invitational tournament.

“They [PBA teams] will not be part of the tournament. They will just play exhibition games against the three teams,” said Eala.

The Leopards, according to Eala, will be fielding two imports. Jordan will arrive on June 20 at the latest, as it will set up a training camp inthe country as part of its buildup for the Fiba World Championship in Istanbul, Turkey, in August.