By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio bared that games in Okinawa could be transferred to the Philippines in case a typhoon or any unplayable weather disturbances hit the Japanese city come the 2023 FIBA World Cup next week.
Panlilio said FIBA is aware that a typhoon’s path may also pass Japan if it passes the Philippines.
“So worst case scenario, if they cannot play the games in Okinawa, they will move the two groups to the Philippines.” Panlilio shared on Tuesday during the PSA Forum at the Meralco Function Hall.
Aside from the four groups to be hosted by the Philippines, Okinawa, alongside Jakarta, will also host two groups namely Groups E and F at the Okinawa Arena. Groups G and H, meanwhile, will be staged at the Indonesia Arena.
But Panlilio said that Groups E and F could be held in the Philippines in the event that the city experienced a typhoon or any weather condition that could declare the games unplayable.
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In this case, the two groups will be split into the two venues in Manila, the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena. The Big Dome will already host Group A and Group B while MOA will house Group C and D.
“They would be using the two venues [because] we’re playing at 4:00 and 8:00 so what could happen in the worst-case scenario is they will play at 10:00 am and 1 p.m,” the official added.
“That’s the contingency plan.”
Still, Panlilio is hoping that such an event won’t occur.
As stated by FIBA following Al Panlilio’s words, “About the news circulated about the possibility of moving the World Cup matches from Okinawa due to weather problems, people know that today the situation is quiet, that there are their people on the spot, and that everything is under control”.