Lebanon may still play in Fiba-Asia

THE BAN ON the Lebanon Cedars from joining the Fiba Asia Men’s Championship is expected to be reversed after the country’s judicial courts ceased its interference on all basketball-related operations.

Hope, thus, floats for the Lebanon squad that is expected to be a thorn in the side of the Gilas Pilipinas in its bid for one of the three tickets to the Fiba World Cup in 2014.

The Lebanon side was initially banned by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) last Friday for its failure to end internal judicial interference and was set to be replaced in the prestigious tournament by the United Arab Emirates.

However, according to a report that was posted on the Daily Star Lebanon, Fiba Asia secretary general Hagop Khajirian said the basketball governing body is weighing its options in light of the recent developments. “We will reconsider the decision of FIBA Monday whether to lift the ban,” Khajirian was quoted as saying.

The local basketball federation has already informed both the international and Asian federations of the judicial ruling. In addition, the basketball team is set to fly in for a two-week training camp leading to the competition, which starts on Aug. 1. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio