HOST PHILIPPINES and long-time archrival South Korea will be on a collision course again as they ended up in the same group after the draw for the 2023 International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup Qualifiers on Tuesday.
In an online news conference organized by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) headed by Chairman Emeritus Manuel V. Pangilinan, the Philippines landed in Group A with South Korea, powerhouse New Zealand and India.
âToday, the road to the 2023 FIBA World Cup begins with this draw. With it, we carry the grand responsibility of harnessing and broadcasting the unifying power and spirit of sports,â Pangilinan said. âFrom the Philippines, the world can expect what our players typically bring to the basketball court â everything.â
âWe offer our warmth and hospitality, our care and attention, our energy and passion.â
The qualifiersâ home-and-away first-round sessions are set in November and February and June in 2022, while the second round begins in September and November 2022 and February 2023.
Although the Philippines and co-host Japan are already qualified for the World Cup, they still need to compete in the qualifiers. Indonesia needs to make it at least in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Asia Cup to gain a slot in the World Cup.
Australia, China, Japan and Chinese-Taipei are bracketed in Group B, while Group C is made up of Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Jordan and Lebanon. Iran, Kazakhstan, Syria, and Bahrain form Group D.