AFTER 40 years, the Philippines will again host the FIBA Asia Championship on August 1 to 13 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Sonny Barrios said that the FIBA Asia through its Secretary General Hagop Khajirian sent him an e-mail saying that the country has been chosen to host the tournament.

“It is a great privilege for our country to host that event. The growing tension and war in Western Asia especially in Syria is too dangerous,” said Barrios,

The event was originally scheduled to be held in Beirut, Lebanon but FIBA called off the plan because of security concerns in the country.

The FIBA Asia Championship serves as qualifier for the 2014 FIBA World Cup. The SMART-Gilas Pilipinas national team 2 coached by Chot Reyes will represent the country in the competition.

In 1973, the Philippine team led by Robert Jaworski, Bogs Adornado, Ramon Fernandez, Manny Paner and Big Boy Reynoso under coach Valentin Eduque won the tournament.