SBP President Manny V. Pangilinan has told Fiba President Ivan Mainini and secretary-general Patrick Baumann of his intention to bring to the country the event, which serves as the qualifier for the 2014 Fiba World Championship in Spain.

“Sinabi ko sa Fiba that we will make our bid at sinabi rin nila that the deadline is until the end of September,” said Pangilinan.

“Sinabi ko rin sa kanila na may isang business group [led by Henry Sy] which is building a new coliseum. So we’ll have two good coliseums. Kasi kinuwento ko rin sa kanila na we will refurbish the Smart Araneta Coliseum, so we’ll have two good venues for basketball,” Pangilinan added.

Pangilinan was referring to the SM Arena on Macapagal Avenue in Pasay City.

The new arena is expected to be operational in May next year and could accommodate 16,000 fans.

The Philippines lost to South Korea in the bronze medal game, ending the Filipinos’ dream of qualifying for the London Olympics.

(Joel Orellana)