Philippines joins Italy and Serbia in hosting 2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

The Philippines last hosted a FIBA tournament was in 2013

The International Basketball Federation, also known as FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball) announced last January 19, 2016 that the Philippines will be hosting the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, together with the two other host countries, Italy and Serbia. The 2016 FIBA OQT in the Philippines will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

                                                                                                            
The Philippines failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics, due to their lost to the Chinese Basketball Team, and just finishing second in the FIBA Asia Championship last year. But it did not end their hopes of qualifying for the 2016 Olympics. They earned a position at the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which will start on July 4 to 10 in this year. 


The President of SBP (Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas), Manny V. Pangilinan, expressed his joy through the social media app, Twitter. Panglinan stated, "YES!! PHILIPPINES TO HOST FIBA OLYMPIC QUALIFYING IN JULY. LABAN PILIPINAS! PUSO!"

Official Twitter post of Manny V. Pangilinan, President of Samhang Basketbol ng Pilipinas

The tournament will be divided into 3 different divisions composed of 6 teams. The Philippine Basketball Team, Gilas Pilipinas, are fighting to earn it's first appearance in the Olympic Basketball Tournament since 1972. 

Gilas Pilipinas will be facing the teams of France, Senegal, Turkey, New Zealand, and Canada. The Philippines will be facing the toughest players from around the world, and some great NBA players.

NBA Players from the teams that will play in the FIBA Qualifying Tournament in the Philippines:

Nicolas Batum

FRANCE
- Nicolas Batum (Charlotte Hornets)
- Joakim Noah (Chicago Bulls)
- Ian Mahinmi (Indiana Pacers)
- Evan Fournier (Orlando Magic)
- Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz)
- Joffrey Lauvergne (Denver Nuggets)

Gorgui Dieng

SENEGAL
- Gorgui Dieng (Minnesota Timberwolves)

Omer Asik

TURKEY
- Ersan Ilyasova (Detroit Pistons)
- Enes Kanter (Oklahoma Thunder)
- Omer Asik (New Orleans Pelicans)

Steven Adams

NEW ZEALAND
- Steven Adams (Oklahoma Thunder) *questionable

Andrew Wiggins

CANADA
- Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota Timberwolves)
- Nik Stauskas (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Andrew Nicholson (Orlando Magic)
- Cory Joseph (Toronto Raptors)
- Kelly Olynyk (Boston Celtics)
- Dwight Powell (Dallas Mavericks)

Jordan Clarkson

PHILIPPINES
- Jordan Clarkson (Los Angeles Lakers) *questionable