FIBA Women's Asia Cup: SBP, PSC excited as Cebu gears up for tournament

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Executive Director Erika Dy and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Patrick “Pato” Gregorio are excited to showcase Cebu to the rest of Asia when the city hosts its firs FIBA tournament, the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup.

That is set to take place in July 2027 at the SM Seaside Arena Cebu in the South Road Properties (SRP). FIBA stands for the Fédération Internationale de Basketball.

Dy and Gregorio expressed confidence that hosting the prestigious continental championship will elevate Cebu’s standing as a premier destination for international sporting events. Both attended the tournament’s launch and logo unveiling on Wednesday, July 8, at SM Seaside City Cebu.

READ ALSO: Cebu to host historic FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in 2027

“I’m very excited because it’s a women’s event. It’s well within my area since I was once part of the women’s national team myself,” said Dy, a former member of the Philippine women’s national basketball team.

FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Cebu

“Tuwang-tuwa ako na nakuha natin ang hosting na ito. (I am so glad that we won the hosting rights.) I’m double excited because it’s happening here in Cebu in a brand-new arena,” she added.

The SBP official added that the SM Seaside Arena Cebu was originally intended to serve as one of the venues for the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. However, construction of the 16,000-seat facility suffered delays from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“So masayang-masaya ako ngayon na finally magagamit natin siya for a FIBA tournament,” she said. (I am delighted now that we can finally use the venue for a FIBA tournament.)

PH has a spot in the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

Eight teams have secured their spots in the tournament: defending champion Australia, runner-up Japan, China, South Korea, Lebanon, Chinese Taipei, New Zealand, and host Philippines.

The qualifying tournament will determine who will fill the remaining eight berths.

For his part, Gregorio said that hosting the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup fulfills one of the commitments he made to Cebu’s sports community.

During his keynote speech at the 40th SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards in March, Gregorio vowed to bring more international sporting events to Cebu, including the 2028 Asian Beach Games. These are already in the early stages of preparation.

‘Believe in sports tourism’

“It’s what I promised the Cebu sports industry. It is what I promised the Cebu Chamber, Governor Pam (Baricuatro), Mayor Nestor Archival, Mayor Cindi King Chan, and my friends here from the Cebu City Sports Commission. This is one very big event. This is the biggest in Cebu, but in the next few months, we will have the Asian Beach Games,” Gregorio said.

“So, these are very exciting times. I’m sure Cebuanos and our neighboring provinces will benefit from all of this. Businesses will flourish, but at the same time, it’s also a great collaboration with the SM Prime Group,” the PSC chairman said.

“We are partners not only here in Cebu but also in Manila as we continue to develop and transform the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex with Chairman Hans Sy. Once again, believe in sports tourism. It’s a great way to promote a destination and a great way to promote sports.”

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