The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) have announced that they are withdrawing from the 18th Asian Games in Jakarata, Indonesia this August.
In an official statement, the governing body of Philippine basketball said they have decided to withdraw from the Asiad in order "to allow our National Team and our organization to regroup and prepare for the process of appealing the FIBA Disciplinary Panel's recent decision, and aim for sustainable success in future tournaments."
Just last week, the FIBA issued its official decision on the July 2 incident that marred a FIBA World Cup qualifying game in Bocaue, Bulacan. This resulted in the suspension of 10 players of the Philippine national basketball team.
The SBP went on to apologize to the organizers of the Asian Games, Filipino fans, and to the Asian basketball community for the sudden withdrawal.
"The SBP resolves to improve its systems, and to prepare programs that will better ensure respectable performances of our teams internationally, of which our country can be truly proud," the statement closed.
The Philippines is ranked third of all-time in the men’s basketball behind leader China and South Korea. The Asian Games is scheduled from August 18 to September 2.
