Logistics was the key concern for the FIBA Central Board.
All roads lead to Metro Manila after all.
The FIBA Central Board on Friday ratified the decision to move the final phase of the FIBA World Cup from the Philippine Arena in Bulacan to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Meanwhile, two games of the opening round of the group of the Philippines will be played at the Philippine Arena. The rest will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
"The main concern leading to the decision was the requirement to provide consistent and swift transfer of the teams and fans to multiple games over the six days of the final phase," FIBA announced in its decision.
"Despite completing the construction of a toll road connecting Metro Manila with the Philippines Arena in 2021, it could only be tested in real conditions since November 2022, after COVID restrictions were lifted."
"Since then, several events took place in that venue, including the last window of the World Cup Qualifiers, identifying serious traffic and transport concerns," they added.
"Despite improvements tested with transport and traffic engineers, the Board came to the conclusion that an event with multiple sessions in one day, like the final phase of the World Cup, couldn’t be delivered to the standards required for the players and fans experience."
The Philippine Arena, the world's largest indoor arena, boasts of a 55,000 seating capacity and has held several concerts, such as those of K-Pop group Blackpink. It was also the venue of several games in the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
The FIBA Central Board made its decision on Friday, as hosted by board member Manny V. Pangilinan of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
Recall that the Philippines, as group and finals phase host, was originally set in Group A, which will play at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. After Saturday's draw, Gilas Pilipinas will find out the three other countries in the group. With the latest change in venue, two of those games will be played at the Philippine Arena instead.
Meanwhile, USA as the preferred country by the Philippines, will be drawn in Group C and will play at the Mall of Asia Arena.
MOA though is no stranger to FIBA events, having hosted a number of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers, the FIBA Asia Cup, and the 2013 Asian Championship.