The Fiba Central Board has decided to move the playoffs of the upcoming Fiba Basketball World Cup, which will be hosted by the Philippines, from the Philippine Arena in Bulacan to the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Board cited traffic concerns and transportation issues as the reasons for the move.

“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,” read the statement released by Fiba on Friday, April 28, 2023.

The Philippine Arena, though, will still host the first two games of the Gilas Pilipinas in the Fiba World Cup.

“In order to keep a key component of the bid, which was to establish a record attendance at the World Cup, the Board decided to play two games of the opening round for the group of the Philippines in the Philippine Arena,” explained Fiba.

The Fiba World Cup fever is slowly building up with the draw being held on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Already in the Philippines to attend the event are basketball icons Yao Ming and Dirk Nowitzki.