PH to send men's basketball team to 2018 Asian Games

SOURCE: CNN Philippines

The Philippines will send a men's basketball team to the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.

This, according to Special Assistant to the President Bong Go and was confirmed by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Inc. (SBP) in a press conference on Sunday.

"Nagkasundo na ang PBA at [ang] SBP at napagdesisyunan po na magpapadala tayo ng team sa 2018 Asian Games sa Indonesia," Go said.

[Translation: PBA and SBP have agreed to send a team to the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia.]

The SBP previously announced that the country would no longer participate in the basketball tournament of the multi-sport event. This decision came amid the International Basketball Federation's (FIBA) suspension of 10 Filipino players and two of its coaching staff for their involvement in the free-for-all on-court brawl against Australia in their third window World Cup qualification match.

The country's basketball governing body said the reason behind the withdrawal was "to allow our national team and organization to regroup, prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel's recent decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournaments."

Go said this is a result of his talk with the PBA and the SBP, which both agreed to reconsider the previous decision.

"Nakakapanghinayang po kasi na walang kakatawan sa Pilipinas sa basketball competition ng Asian Games lalo nasa puso ng halos bawat Pilipino ang larong basketball," he said.

[Translation: It's regretful that nobody will represent the Philippines in the basketball competition of the Asian Games given that the sport is in the heart of almost every Filipino.]

Go assured that the administration will support the delegates.

"Maasahan ng Philippine delegates sa Asian Games ang buong suporta ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Andito kami para suportahan ang mga manlalarong Pilipino na magdadala ng karangalan sa ating bansa," he said.

[Translation: Philippine delegates can expect the administration's full support. We are here to support Filipino athletes who bring honor to the country.]