First time: Philippines to host FIBA Women’s Asia Cup

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FIBA awards the hosting rights for the 2027 edition of the FIBA Women's Asia Cup to the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines will host the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup for the first time ever.

FIBA on Thursday, July 3, announced that it awarded the hosting rights for the 2027 edition of the continental showdown to the Philippines.

“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is proud to be the host for the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027. The federation has always been an ardent partner of FIBA in prioritizing the growth of women’s basketball, and it’s about time for the Philippines to do even more,” said SBP president Al Panlilio.

It will mark the first time the Philippines will host a FIBA Asia event in over a decade, or since it hosted the 2013 FIBA Asia Championship.

That tournament saw Gilas Pilipinas reach the finals and finish second to Iran as it qualified for the FIBA World Cup for the time in 36 years.

Gilas Women hope to have the same dream run at home in 2027, their best tournament finish at fourth place in 1965 and 1984.

In the previous Women’s Asia Cup staged in Sydney, Australia, in 2023, the Philippines placed sixth.

“The timing is perfect for the Philippines to host this competition as women’s basketball in the country currently has great momentum behind it with the foundation of a women’s professional league and some of our national team players getting opportunities to play abroad,” said Panlilio.

Currently competing in the Jones Cup in Taiwan, Gilas Women will see action in the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup to be held in Shenzhen, China, from July 13 to 20.

Ranked No. 44 in the world, the Philippines is up against fearsome competition as it battles No. 2 Australia and No. 9 Japan in Group B, which also includes No. 54 Lebanon. – Rappler.com