Ticket for FIBA WCQ February window set for sale

The Samahang Baaketbol ng Pilipinas announced that tickets for the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers will be available for purchase starting February 17.

Set to take place at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum, ticket distribution will be handled by TicketNet, both onsite at its different outlets as well as online through www.ticketnet.com.ph.

Lower Box tickets will cost PhP 500, with Upper Box priced at PhP 200 (pending additional fees).

Additional requirements imposed by the IATF for the upcoming window include:

• Fans need to be at least twelve years old
• Fully vaccinated (must bring vaccination card and an additional valid ID)
• Mandatory face mask wearing
• No food allowed in audience area, but can be availed at the coliseum concourse.

Also, the Quezon City local government also requires the use of the Kyusi Pass in order to enter the venue, whether one is a resident or not.

Group A play for the Asian Qualifiers start on February 24 and will last until February 28.

24: 3pm New Zealand vs India, 6pm Korea vs Pilipinas

25: 3pm New Zealand vs Korea, 6pm India vs Pilipinas

27: 430pm India vs Korea, 7pm New Zealand vs Pilipinas

28: 3pm India vs New Zealand, 6pm Pilipinas vs Korea

The Philippines is seeking to build on the momentum of the Asia Cup Qualifiers, where Gilas Pilipinas won all six of their matches, including two games against Korea.

Philippines falls short in Women's Asian Cup semifinals

c/o Asian Football Confederation

South Korea secured its first-ever Women's Asian Cup final on Thursday afternoon, doing so with a 2-0 victory over the Philippines at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune.

The Taeguk Ladies scored two first half goals from Cho So-Hyun and Son Hwa-Yeon in a dominating performance.

It did not take long for Korea to have an advantage, as Cho received a corner kick from Kim Hye-Ri and the Tottenham women's stalwart headed it past Olivia Davies-McDaniel after four minutes.

They would continue to put additional pressure with Son getting shots towards Davies-McDaniel, but the Milwaukee alumna would take care of them in the 15th and 19th minute.

The Filipinas would have their own scoring opportunities, although they were much fewer than their opposition. Katrina Guillou had a chance in the 24th minute, although her long distance attempt just missed.

Korea would double the lead in the 34th minute, as Choo Hyo-Joo found Son for an easy tap-in.

Alen Stajcic made three changes during the break, with Malea Cesar, Chandler McDaniel, and Sara Castaneda coming on, although McDaniel would suffer a knee injury that would cut short her stint after twelve minutes.

The adjustments could not provide the Philippines the necessary oomph needed to cause a problem for the Korean defense. However, they remained resolute on the defensive side of the ball, giving their effort to prevent their opposition from blowing the game wide open.

Davies-McDaniel denied Son a chance at a brace in the 67th minute, as well as substitute Lee Min-A's opportunity twenty minutes later.

Colin Bell praised the team's performance afterwards, "The girls have worked tremendously hard the whole tournament, and to actually get to the final after this game is such a big achievement. We’re happy we got the result and the chance to play in the final."

In spite of the defeat, the Philippines achieved their objective in earning one of the automatic spots for the FIFA Women's World Cup next year. Alen Stajcic shared post-match, "It was a very tough match. Korea Republic were the better team and had more chances than we had. After 120 minutes in the last match, the players still fought right to the death. There’s an amazing amount of heart and courage in this group, and I’m proud of them. Everyone back home in the Philippines should be so proud of this group, who have come such a long way in such a short space of time."

The win allows Korea to face off against China this weekend for the right to be Asia's best women's football team.

Vietnam at cusp of FIFA Women's World Cup berth

c/o Asian Football Confederation

Vietnam boosted its hopes of a maiden Women's World Cup berth with a 2-0 victory over Thailand in the Women's Asian Cup playoffs on Wednesday afternoon in Navi Mumbai.

Both goals came in the first half, with captain Huynh Nhu putting the SEA Games champions on the board in the 19th minute, followed by Thai Thi Thao five minutes later.

With only fourteen available players due to the COVID-19 outbreak affecting the side, the Thais were already on the back foot, eventually cracking to the Vietnamese pressure when Pham Hai Yen intercepting Warunee Phetwiset's attempted deflection towards Waraporn Boonsing and finding Huynh, who fires it to an empty net.

Vietnam doubled the advantage at the 24th minute,  as Thao headed home a cross from Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung.

They would have a chance to add another goal in the second half late, but Yen's shot was denied by the post, while VAR nullifed a goal from Nhu.

The win puts Vietnam in the driver's seat heading into their matchup against Chinese-Taipei that might just determine who gets the automatic berth for the World Cup.

As for the Thailand, a must-win matchup against Chinese-Taipei is on the cards on Friday, a situation hampered further by Kanchanaporn Saenkhun being sent off due to a red card in injury time. The defender had brought Nguyen Thi Thanh Nah whilst being clear on goal, and by incurring the offense will be sitting out her next match, reducing their current available players to the minimum thirteen prescribed by the competition guidelines.

The teams unable to secure the automatic berth in this three-team playoff are set to participate in the intercontinental playoffs to determine the remaining field next year.