The FIBA World Cup 2023 in Manila promises to be a totally unique basketball experience, not just for the players from all over the globe, but for the millions of local and visiting fans as well.
No less than American coach Steve Kerr of the NBA’s Golden State Warriors expressed his excitement about visiting the Philippines and having to play in front of Filipino fans.
Kerr is coming with two assistant coaches—Fil-American Erik Spoelstra and former Philippine team naturalized player Chip Engelland–who may have probably told him beautiful stories about the country.
“I’m so excited to go to Manila,” Kerr said in a social media post. “I’ve never been to the Philippines, so I know this will be fun.”
“I know how popular basketball is [there],” Kerr added, citing a team staffer, who played in the Philippines a long time ago. “But he’s told us how basketball-crazed the fans are there. So, it’s going to be a lot of fun. We’re really excited.”
Team USA, although not parading veteran NBA stars, is still the team to beat. It will have the likes of Austin Reaves, Anthony Edwards, Paolo Banchero, Mikal Bridges, Jalen Brunson, and Josh Hart for the World Cup. The USA is grouped with Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand in Group C which will play at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Team USA is one of the 32 teams competing in the World Cup, 16 of which will be hosted by Manila while the rest will be playing in Japan and Indonesia.
The Philippines will open its campaign against the Dominican Republic on August 25 at the Philippine Arena, then against Angola on August 27, and Italy on August 29.
ALL-DRESSED UP
During the opening, the Philippine Arena and the Mall of Asia Arena will simultaneously open the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup in a red-carpet welcome.
The local organizing Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas hopes to break the record for the most number of audience in a game at the massive 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue. The Smart Araneta Coliseum will be the venue, where the Philippines’ very own Gilas Pilipinas team hopes to emerge as the best Asian finisher in the hopes of making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The MOA Arena will host Team USA and the final phase, including the championship game, where Spain hopes to defend the title.
“As far as preparedness is concerned at MOA Arena, we are ready,” said Mark Solano, the venue head designated by the FIBA Basketball World Cup Local Organizing Committee.
During the Final Phase, qualifiers from the Group Phase in Okinawa and Jakarta will fly in to compete for podium finishes.
The MOA Arena will have a newly designated players’ entrance constructed for faster access, from the bus drop-off area to the changing rooms, with the seats refurbished, the walls repainted, and the dugouts dressed up.
“All the toilets, cubicles, and even the tiles are new,” said Solano, who added that shower heads are able to accommodate 7-footers underneath.
On the second floor, a Naismith Lounge has been put up for VIPs, like former NBA stars and now FIBA World Cup ambassadors Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki, and Pau Gasol. It’s where they can leisurely hang out as the place have been all spruced up for comfort and privacy.
Numerous fun shops to purchase souvenirs will also be installed in designated areas at the concourse.
Debuting at the MOA Arena are Montenegro versus Mexico at 4:45 p.m., and Lithuania against Egypt at 8:30 p.m.
FREE GOODIES, RIDES FOR FANS
Apart from top-notch basketball competitions, world-class entertainment, fun games, and collectibles await the fans at the opening day venues.
Famous Filipino new wave/rock band The Dawn, online streaming sensation Ben & Ben, and Asia’s Popstar Royalty Sarah will rock the Philippine Arena in between the two scheduled games.
Organizers have deployed 400 49-seater premium grade air-conditioned buses from 12 strategic take-off points, namely, the PITX Bus Terminal, Mall of Asia Arena, One Ayala Bus Terminal, BGC Market Market Bus Terminal, SM Megamall, Araneta City, Trinoma, SM North, Clover Leaf Ayala Mall Bus Terminal, SM Baliuag, SM Pampanga, and SM Clark, to transport fans to the venue.
The free shuttle bus rides are scheduled to depart from each boarding terminal at 11 a.m. and 12 noon, and hourly from 1 to 5 p.m.
Opening-day ticket holders for the Philippine Arena games may go to https://bit.ly/3rNFIR4 to choose their preferred pick-up location and time of departure. All they will need to do is arrive on time and show their opening-day ticket/s.
The buses will be available after the Gilas Pilipinas-Dominican Republic game to take fans back to their starting point.
When fans get to the Philippine Arena, there is even more in store.
A coupon for a free Jollibee Cheesy Yumburger will be given at the gate upon presentation of opening-day tickets, and once inside, there will be FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 merchandise handed out to patrons in the different sections, such as scarves, fan clappers, and rally towels.
There will also be special LED wristbands distributed, which will enable everyone in the arena to be part of a special lights’ show that will take place.
Beyond all these, fans at the Philippine Arena will also have a chance to be part of FIBA World Cup history, as the goal is to set the record for attendance and break the existing number of 32,616.