Philippines delegation included Boxing Legend Manny Pacquaio (third from right)

FIBA President Horacio Muratore
Philippines will host the 2023 Basketball World Cup with fellow Asian countries Japan and Indonesia after successfully securing votes.

The three Asian countries will host the event four years after China host the upcoming edition in 2019 ensuring the next two World competitions will be staged in Asia.

The joint bid topped a similar bid by Uruguay and Argentina as FIBA announced a few hours ago after presentations from each prospective host.

Games at the group stage will be split between the three countries while knockout games will be played in Philippines including its capital, Manila.

An expanded format was recently agreed by FIBA allowing 32 countries to compete at the world games; Africa’s slots have increased from three to five following the changes.

Qualifiers have already began to determine which teams will represent Africa in China; powerhouse Tunisia and Angola are in line to be present at the games after topping Group A and C respectively in the first round.

The second round will be played next year with those in Groups B and D set to be played in February 2018.

By Yaw Adjei-Mintah
@YawMintYM on Twitter

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