Top trending topic online! World Basketball Governing body FIBA announced that the Philippines will be one of the 3 hosts for the 2016 Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) set for July 4 to 10, 2016. The announcement was made through FIBA social media accounts on Tuesday night, January 19, 2016.

The other two nations which will host the tournaments are Italy and Serbia. The Philippines finished in second at the FIBA Asia Championship last year 2015, but earned the right to participate in the qualifiers.

Philippines national team “Gilas Pilipinas” will face five of these teams; Canada , Mexico , Puerto Rico , France, Serbia, Greece, Italy, Czech Republic, Angola, Tunisia, Senegal, New Zealand, Iran, Japan, Latvia, Croatia and Lebanon.

Recap: The Philippine basketball team trying to earn its first appearance at the Olympic Basketball Tournament since 1972.

The tournament mechanics; 18 national teams from FIBA’s primary events divided into 3 competitions of 6. The winner from each tilt, for a total of 3 countries, will be qualify for Rio 2016. The draw will take place in January 26, 2016.

France will host the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament from June 13-19, 2016, announced by FIBA.

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