The Finals of the 2012 FIBA Asia Cup held in Lebanon was postponed due to the prevalent situation in the capital city of Beirut. The Final Game of the 23rd FIBA Asia Cup between Mahram of Iran and Al Riyadi Beirut of Lebanon was scheduled for Monday put was put off.
According to the official statement of FIBA Secretary General Hagop Khajirian that the game was postponed and the finals will be announced later to be held in an undisclosed locations.
Last Monday, there are at least seven people were killed and dozens were injured in clashes in Beirut stemming from conflict related to the civil war in neighboring Syria.
According to FIBA Asia, they will be using the Champions Cup to (–foul word(s) removed–)s the capability of Lebanon to host next year’s Asian championship. The Asian Championship will serve as a qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The Philippines was beaten out by Lebanon in hosting the said event.
Although the situations in Lebanon is not good for the basketball community but in the brighter side, the Philippines will now have a chance to snatch the hosting from Lebanon depending upon the evaluation of FIBA Asia.
The regional cage body told earlier the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, the sole-basketball body recognized by FIBA, that the Philippines hosting is a back-up option if Lebanon failed to provide security for basketball players from different parts of Asia.
SBP Executive Director Sonny Barrios stated that FIBA will determine the final venue until November 30, 2012.
