FIBA Postpones 3x3 Olympic Qualiifiers due to COVID-19 Scare

It seems that the spread of the 2019 Novel Corona Virus or COVID-19 isn't going to slow down any time soon as the said infection continues to wreak havoc across the globe as thousands are being infected at an alarming speed. 

Just last month, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) decided to postpone some of the games that were part of the first window of the FIBA Asia Cup qualifiers which included the home game of Gilas Pilipinas against Thailand. And then there's the talk that the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan will be canceled rather than to be postponed due to issues in the logistics. And, that postponement or cancelation of the said events will likely be followed.

Fearing for the safety of the participants,  the governing body has decided to postpone the 3x3 Olympic Qualification tournament that was originally scheduled to take place from March 18 to 22 in India. Instead, FIBA said that the qualifiers for the 3x3 basketball should take place before the Universally Olympic Qualifier Tournament which will happen next month in Hungary.

While this development is going to be a bummer for the fans of Gilas Pilipinas 3x3 team who will be bannered by CJ Perez, Moala Tautuaa, Alvin Pasaol, and Joshua Munzon,  the postponement of the said qualifying tournament has a silver lining in it as it will allow our team to have more ample time to prepare. After all, CJ Perez is pulling triple duty as he's not only a part of two Gilas Pilipinas teams, he's also gearing for his second season in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) will open on Sunday. 

In a statement, the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas (SBP) expressed its support the decision of FIBA to postpone the said qualifying tournament. In the same statement, SBP president Al Panlilio pointed out that while the team has been preparing despite the lack of time, safety always comes first. Always.

In the end, we'll still be able to see our 3x3 team compete against some of the 3x3 teams in the world and hopefully, in the Olympics. And hopefully, without worrying about the threat of COVID-19. Or any other threats.   

Photo is from ABS CBN Sports