FIBA 's selective OQT, quality over quantity?

NOW that the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT), for this Paris Olympics, all behind us, Latvia head coach Luca Banchi still reeling on their defeat, is probably toying an idea in his mind that would urge the governing Federation of International Basketball (FIBA) to have talks with officials of member countries to tackle the possibility of adding more qualifying seats in lieu of the current format.

The idea to add more slots leading to the Olympics, was raised in a question to Banchi, during a press conference after Latvia, one of the four countries hosting the OQT, lose to Brazil in the finals, 69-94. Thus leaving Latvia as the only host of the OQT failed to gain a spot. Co-host Puerto Rico, Greece and Spain booked their respective place to Paris.

Banchi, who is a Serbian and been handling the Latvian national squad for more than two years, lamented on FIBA's OQT format and can't but expressed his views and a lingering question in his mind, why the Olympic cast in basketball is limited to only 12 countries

When as asked by a reporter, whether FiBA should allowed more countries in the Olympics to add more thrill in basketball, "The tournament is too selective, the way FIBA is organizing the event, I agree. We expect the Olympics to create more exposure as much as possible," he said.

"When we were talking about this moment, not able to qualify, with Brazil, You see, specially Europe, who suffered the limited number of teams and you see incredible teams like Croatia and Lithuania are out and there are other victims. Turkiye, Italy and Argentina. Banchi continued.

Though Latvia topped the Riga phase with 1-1 win-loss slate. Same record Gilas-Pilipinas holds following an,89-80 victory over the host and Georgia, but the later was virtually eliminated failing to dislodge Gilas of a place to the next round despite posting a 96-94 win over the Filipinos. (I guess you know it already, how it all happened).

For his part, the Serbian mentor, if he will have his way. He Would suggest to FIBA to have talks with International Olympic Committee (IOC). "I think this i something FIBA should consider it and on how IOC to the way to expand number of countries. because, Olympics is something that can contribute the spread of basketball in a wider platform not only 12 teams."

I share the same sentiments that of coach Banchi, by looking the 12-countries that enable to qualify, led by defending and perennial champion Team USA, which every Olympics is represented by their NBA superstars, unlike in the last World Cup, wherein the team was made up of bench players that wound up fifth. Two notches than the previous.

But Banchi was only talking about Europe. How about Asia?.. I believed Asia is a bigger continent than Europe, isn't not? Compare to Europe has five-regions that of Asia has seven, including the former Soviet republics, comprising central Asia.

Previous Olympics, there more countries participating in the Olympic basketball, as the qualification were very simple then, during the 50's, 60's 70's and towards the early 80's, when there at least 20 countries as qualified to play in Olympics and their manner of elimination is based on continental and regional grouping,

Asia and Europe having the most number of qualifiers. Three from Asia, five to six for the Europeans, two the Americas, three to four from Latin America, two from Oceania-Pacific region and three from Africa.

The OQT format likewise greatly felt in the Asian region as Japan, emerged as the only Asian squad managed to booked a ticket to the Paris Games, by virtue of its eight-placed finished in the last World Cup final staged held in Manila a year ago. Amazing teams from Lebanon, Iran, China, Korea. which are highly regarded as Asian powerhouse. And of of course our Gilas-Pilipinas.

The NBA led Americans is group with Serbia, Puerto Rico and World Cup best African qualifier South Sudan in Group C. Group A is spearheaded by Tokyo silver medalist Australia, along with OQT survivors Greece and Spain along with Canada.

Group B is led by France, which is reportedly to be led by NBA rookie sensation, Victor Wembanyama, World Cup champion Germany, which is expected to be led by former L.A Lakers' Ricky Shrougder, another OQT qualifier Brazil, which denied Latvia, 94-69, in the finals in Riga.And lone Asian entry in Japan, which to be led by NBA stars Yuri Watanabe, Ken Hutchimura and recently signed by the Memphis Grizzlies Yuki Kawamura.