Philippines to host 2017 SEABA Basketball Championship on May 12-18

The Gilas Pilipinas national team will enjoy home court advantage in the 2017 SEABA Championship after the Philippines was awarded hosting rights to the regional tournament.

National team head coach Chot Reyes confirmed the news through his Twitter account on Monday.

"We just received confirmation that SEABA has awarded the Men's senior and under-16 hosting to Manila," Reyes announced.

UPDATE: Sports patron Manny V. Pangilinan tweeted last February 18 that the SEABA Basketball Championship was moved from April to May 12-18 in Manila, Philippines.

It's final. #LabanPilipinas and Gilas time again! SEABA in Manila, May 12-18 at Araneta. Led by Smart, TV5, and Meralco. #PUSO

— Manny V. Pangilinan (@iamMVP) February 18, 2017

The 2017 SEABA basketball championship will run from May 12 to 18, and will serve as the qualifying tournament to the FIBA Asia Championship later in the year.

2017 SEABA Championship Schedule

Friday, May 12
3PM INDONESIA vs SINGAPORE
5PM MALAYSIA vs THAILAND
7PM MYANMAR vs PHILIPPINES

Saturday, May 13
3PM VIETNAM vs THAILAND
5PM INDONESIA vs MALAYSIA
7PM PHILIPPINES vs SINGAPORE

Sunday, May 14
3PM THAILAND vs INDONESIA
5PM MYANMAR vs VIETNAM
7PM MALAYSIA vs PHILIPPINES

Monday, May 15
3PM THAILAND vs MYANMAR
5PM SINGAPORE vs MALAYSIA
7PM INDONESIA vs VIETNAM

Tuesday, May 16
3PM MYANMAR vs SINGAPORE
5PM MALAYSIA vs VIETNAM
7PM PHILIPPINES vs THAILAND

Wednesday, May 17
3PM MYANMAR vs INDONESIA
5PM SINGAPORE vs THAILAND
7PM VIETNAM vs PHILIPPINES

Thursday, May 18
3PM MALAYSIA vs MYANMAR
5PM VIETNAM vs SINGAPORE
7PM PHILIPPINES vs INDONESIA

No championship game, top team in the single round robin will get Gold Medal and a slot in the 2017 FIBA Asia Cup.

It will be the first tournament for the fifth iteration of the Gilas Pilipinas national team. Reyes announced on Sunday the 12 professional players who will join the Gilas Cadets in the pool, from which the squad for the SEABA tilt will be selected.

"Kailangan natin ipanalo ang SEABA to enable us to play in the FIBA Asia. Kailangan mag-champion doon," Reyes said Sunday. "So we need to bring our strongest team sa SEABA."

SOURCE: http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/01/23/17/ph-to-host-2017-seaba-tournament