SOUTHEAST ASIA BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP '99 IN MANILA
Manila, Sept. 10, 1998 - The Philippines will host the Southeast Asia Basketball Association championship in July next year.
Basketball Association of the Philippines secretary general Graham Lim said the decision was reached by the Seaba management committee in a consultation meeting during the recent World Championships in Greece.
The third edition of the Seaba meet last year was also held in Manila with the Filipinos beating the Thais in their championship showdown at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Malaysia won the inaugural tournament in 1995, while Indonesia beat the Philippines for the 1996 crown.
The BAP isdetermined to assemble a team which can assure the Philippines victory in the 4th edition of the annual tournament, as well as qualifying into the tournament proper of the Asian Basketball Confederation.
Only the champion and runnerup of the 10-nation field, just like in the other Asian zones, will be given ABC slots. The top two ABC squads will then represent Asia in 2000 Sydney Olympics.
National coach Louie Alas has invited 28 players from the Metropolitan Basketball Association, the Philippine Basketball League and the collegiate leagues to try out for the national team which will also be tasked to retain its Southeast Asian Games cage crown.
Reported by: Sol Jose Vanzi
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