Gilas vs Indonesia might be moved

Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2020 10:31:32 +0000

Gilas Pilipinas is in danger of seeing the postponement of its Feb. 23 away match against Indonesia in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

A report by Kompas, one of Indonesia’s main newspapers, said the country’s Ministry of Youth and Sports instructed the Indonesian Basketball Association to postpone not only the match against Gilas but also the Feb. 20 meeting opposite South Korea.

Both games were slated to be played at the Mahaka Arena, located in the northern Jakarta district of Kelapa Gading.

Kompas also said that the ministry, known as KEMENPORA, wanted to make necessary precautions against the spread of virus, especially after the Philippines and South Korea have declared positive cases.

Indonesia hasn’t had any confirmed cases yet, though authorities have quarantined a 19-year-old student after showing symptoms of the Covid-19.

Team manager Gabby Cui said Gilas is scheduled to leave Friday for the Indonesian capital.

FIBA had earlier postponed Gilas’ home match against Thailand originally set Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

No date has been set for the game.

The possible delay of the Indonesia match could put Gilas’ preparation for the Qualifiers on a standstill.

Coach Mark Dickel said after Saturday’s practice at the Meralco Gym in Pasig City that the team will begin the process of finalizing the 15 players from the pool that could be used for the Indonesia duel.

Dickel added that the coaching staff composed of Gilas program director Tab Baldwin, Sandy Arespacochaga, Alex Compton, a
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