The Philippines has been awarded the rights to host the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027, as announced by the world basketball federation on Thursday.
According to a FIBA news release, the decision was made by the FIBA Regional Office-Asia following a board meeting held on June 26. This event marks the first time in over a decade that the Philippines will host this continental-level competition. The last time was in 2013 during the FIBA Asia Cup (formerly known as the FIBA Asia Championships), when Gilas Pilipinas secured a silver medal, qualifying for the FIBA World Cup for the first time in 36 years.
“The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is proud to host the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup 2027. The federation has always been a staunch partner of FIBA in its efforts to grow women’s basketball, and it’s time for the Philippines to step up even more,” stated SBP president Alfredo Panlilio.
FIBA executive director-Asia Hagop Khajirian expressed excitement about returning to the Philippines for a FIBA Asia event. He emphasized that the country’s role as host will help both SBP and FIBA generate greater attention for women’s basketball. “We believe that hosting the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in the Philippines, where basketball enjoys a passionate following, will enhance FIBA’s efforts to promote women’s basketball in Asia. It will also support the SBP’s initiatives to advance the sport for women in the Philippines,” he said.
Gilas Pilipinas Women previously placed sixth in the 2023 Women’s Asia Cup held in Sydney, Australia. Currently, the team is competing in the Jones Cup in Taiwan as part of their preparations to face formidable opponents, including No. 2 Australia, No. 9 Japan, and No. 54 Lebanon, in Group B of the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup, scheduled to take place in Shenzhen, China, from July 13 to 20.