PBBM to lead Pinoys in cheering on home team vs. Dominicans
Filipinos will show the world just how hoops-mad the country is when they troop to the Philippine Arena in Bulacan today to support the Gilas men’s national team that makes its debut against a formidable Dominican Republic side to kick off the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is expected to be among 52,000 Pinoys and tourists from across the globe who are seen attending the opening ceremonies and filling the massive stadium on Friday.
Just coming close to that number will help the country erase the previous World Cup attendance record of 32,616 set in the 1994 event in Toronto, Canada, according to the host Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.
The Philippines is hosting the quadrennial event for just the second time since 1978, when then-Yugoslavia beat a Soviet Union side 82-81 in overtime at the Araneta Coliseum for the gold medal.
This year, the “Big Dome” in Quezon City is one of three venues for the event, along with the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
To help ease organizers’ woes – especially over traffic—in hosting the World Cup for the first time in 45 years, President Marcos declared Friday as a non-working holiday in Metro Manila and Bulacan for government offices and schools.
As early as last week, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and officials of the North Luzon Expressway, which leads to the Philippine Arena, warned motorists to expect stop-and-go traffic leading to the venues, especially wherever Gilas Pilipinas or the favored United States team of National Basketball Association stars play.
Led by NBA star Jordan Clarkson, Gilas takes the floor against the Dominicans – bannered by their own NBA mainstay, 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns—at 8 p.m. local time (1200 GMT), after Italy takes on Angola in the 4 p.m. (0800 GMT) opener.
Coached by Chot Reyes, the host team is hoping to get at least two wins in three matches for a chance to advance past the elimination round on home soil.
On Thursday, an inter-agency conference, presided over by Police Lt. Gen. Michael John Dubria, brought together key stakeholders and experts to discuss the comprehensive security strategy at the headquarters of the Philippine National Police in Quezon City
Focal persons from the MMDA, the Department of Health, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Manila International Airport Authority, and representatives from the Local Organizing Committee of FBWC 2023 were briefed on the complex details of the security plans.
The NLEX Corporation on Wednesday announced suggested routes for FBWC participants. It said ticket holders are urged to take the Ciudad de Victoria exit on NLEX passing through the RFID lane.
With the expected high volume of vehicles, NLEX Corp. told motorists to expect a heavy flow of traffic on Friday. Alternate routes via exits in Marilao, Bocaue, or Tambumbong have also been provided for vehicles headed towards Sta. Maria, Bulacan.
A truck ban will be implemented in selected municipalities leading to the venue, officials said, as local government units will make detailed announcements on their official social media pages.
NLEX said traffic personnel will be deployed in strategic areas to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
Dubria said delegation arrivals from August 22 to 23 totaled 2,017, comprising 793 participants and 1,224 FIBA officials and staff. “These numbers underscore the magnitude of the event and the collective efforts required to ensure its smooth operation,” he said.
More than 3,000 participants are expected, including FIBA members,World Congress attendees, government officials, media, and foreign embassy representatives. About 2,000 guests will arrive from abroad, Dubria added.
The security personnel deployment plan entails 2,589 police officers from the National Capital Region Police Office, 363 officers from Police Regional Office 3, and 2,904 personnel from other government agencies and force multipliers, he said.
“The collaborative efforts of the Specialized Task Group, which includes representatives from various government bodies, signify the Philippines’ dedication to hosting a safe and successful FIBA Basketball World Cup,” Dubria said.