MANILA – The Philippines will take center stage of Asian women’s basketball as it has been named host of the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027.
The FIBA Regional Office-Asia made the announcement following a board meeting held on June 26, according to a FIBA news release Thursday.
This event marks the first time a continental-level basketball event will be hosted in the basketball-crazy nation in more than a decade.
The Philippines last hosted a continental event when Manila was the venue for the 2013 FIBA Asia Cup (formerly FIBA Asia Championships), when Gilas Pilipinas bagged silver and a ticket to the FIBA World Cup after a 36-year absence.
The Philippines has also played host to various international basketball events, including hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
“We are excited to return to the Philippines for a FIBA Asia event,” FIBA Executive Director-Asia Hagop Khajirian said.
The FIBA official said the Philippines’ hosting will help draw attention to women’s basketball in Asia.
“We believe hosting the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup event in the Philippines, where basketball has a passionate following, will help FIBA’s efforts to promote women’s basketball in Asia. The event will also serve as a boost to the SBP’s efforts to promote women’s basketball in the Philippines,” he said.
For its part, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) expressed excitement over the development.
“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is proud to be the host for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027. The federation has always been an ardent partner of FIBA in prioritizing the growth of women’s basketball, and it’s about time for the Philippines to do even more,” SBP president Alfredo Panlilio said.
“The timing is perfect for the Philippines to host this competition as women’s basketball in the country currently has great momentum behind it with the foundation of a women’s professional league and some of our national team players getting opportunities to play abroad,” he added.
Meanwhile, Indonesia was chosen as the host for the FIBA U16 Women’s Asia Cup 2027 and FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2028 as a prelude to its hosting of the FIBA U17 Women’s Basketball World Cup 2028 and FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2029.
Indonesia, along with the Philippines and Japan, were co-hosts of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.
Qatar, which will host the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027, was chosen as the host for the FIBA U18 Asia Cup 2026.
Kazakhstan will become the first Central Asian nation to host a FIBA Asia competition when it hosts the FIBA U18 Women’s Asia Cup 2028. Jordan will once again host a FIBA Asia event with the FIBA U16 Asia Cup 2027. (PNA)
