MANILA, Philippines - The FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament is two days away yet the action is growing intense and serious…off the basketball court.
One team participating in the Manila qualifier tells Rappler they had caught someone filming its practice on Sunday, July 3.
This team asked for anonymity given the situation. According to the source, the team had an unwanted guest at an additional practice they had scheduled outside the Mall of Asia Arena, where the games are set to take place from July 5 to 10.
The head coach of this visiting team spotted the intruder who was filming the practice from behind some seats. Members of the coaching staff gave chase and the suspect was collared after a brief chase. The team let him off but not before deleting all the videos taken.
Tournament organizers have been very strict with access to the foreign national squads seeing action in the 5-day competition. Only liaison officers and FIBA officials are allowed access to the practice venue.
“We wanted to call security,” said a team official. “But we decided to let him off. We just have to be more careful now."
(READ: Your guide to the FIBA OQT in Manila)
Six teams, including the Philippines, Canada, France, New Zealand, Senegal and Turkey will compete for one spot at the Rio Olympics, which begin August 5. – Rappler.com