Fiba-Asia secretary general says Smart Gilas team considered a top contender for title

Hosting a Fiba-Asia event “doesn’t come every year,” according to cage body secretary-general Hagop Khajirian.

That’s why the Philippines, come August 1-11, could be a strong bet for the title.

“The Philippines playing in the semifinals (of Fiba-Asia), why not? Champion in Fiba-Asia, why not?” Khajirian asked when he met the press yesterday at the tournament’s official venue, the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

“It doesn’t come every year,” the Lebanese said of the country’s hosting, the first time in 40 years that the Philippines is the venue of such an event. “Get the best of the best (talents for the event).

“But it will come as a result of hard work, and not by luck,” he continued. “There’s no luck in winning the championship.”

Khajirian signed the hosting agreement with Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan on Sunday afternoon, officially making Manila the home of Asia’s biggest cage show this year.

“First and foremost we thank FIBA-Asia for trusting us with this,” Pangilinan said on Sunday. “We are aware of the task in front of us, which is a huge challenge. And we will leave no stone unturned to rise to the occasion.”

The event is an important one for the Philippines, since it will serve as the qualifying tournament for the World Basketball Championship scheduled in Madrid, Spain next year. The top three finishers here get slots to the Worlds.

Khajirian, who originally awarded the hosting rights to his homeland in a meeting in Tokyo last September, is in the country to see preparations for the tournament, where 16 of the finest countries in the region are participating.

Drawing of lots will be held on June 6 in Manila. /Inquirer