ALLAN THE MAN

FIBA has set deadlines for submission of vital documents to formalize participation in the World Cup in Spain on Aug. 30-Sept. 14 and a hefty fine of $28,000 awaits a team that fails to turn in proof of citizenship for a naturalized player by July 15.

The first deadline is June 15 to confirm the participation of the 24 countries, including wildcards Greece, Turkey, Finland and Brazil. The next deadline is July 15 for each country to submit the initial list of 24 players with passports, birth certificates and FIBA player IDs. A fine of $28,000 will be imposed on teams that miss the deadline.

With the Philippines gaining a stellar reputation among officials of FIBA after successfully hosting the Asian championship tournament earlier this month, local basketball officials are studying the possibility of putting up a bid to host the FIBA Basketball World Cup in 2019.

Officials of the world basketball body were impressed with the country’s staging of the FIBA Asia Championship from August 1 to 11 at the Mall of Asia Arena, from the venue to the accommodations to the technical aspects of the broadcast.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Kobe Bryant had a definitive answer when asked if he's going to suit up for the United States team that will play in the 2014 FIBA World Cup.

"No," was the response given by Bryant.

Three-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant and former NBA rebounding champion Kevin Love will play for the United States in next year’s Basketball World Cup, US coach Mike Krzyzewski announced.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Durant and Minnesota Timberwolves big man Love were teammates on the 2012 London Olympic gold medal team as well as the 2010 world championship squad that will defend its crown next year in Spain.