The prestigious FIBA Basketball World Cup trophy has arrived in the Philippines as part of a series of global appearances.
Marking this milestone event were Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas Chairman Emeritus and PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio, Senior Vice President and Head of Consumer Wireless Business Jane J. Basas, Head of Sports Jude H. Turcuato, and Chief Commercial Advisor Noel C. Lorenzana at the PLDT headquarters in Makati City.
The ‘Naismith Trophy’ captures the prestige and tradition of FIBA’s flagship competition. Unveiled in 2017, the international basketball league’s ultimate prize is made almost entirely out of gold and features a roll of honor listing all the world champions.
“To see the trophy up close and in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for basketball fans. For us at PLDT and Smart, we’re not just here to witness basketball history unfold right before our eyes. We’re here to make sure Filipinos get to experience the games and root for the Philippine team,” said Panlilio, who also serves as SBP’s President.
Filipinos can view the trophy at the Smart Store in SM Mall of Asia on February 23, 2022.
“All of us here wish Gilas all the best in their quest to have a very active and successful participation in these qualifying rounds to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023,” Pangilinan said. When asked about the importance of having the Naismith trophy in the Philippines, Pangilinan candidly added, “It is our fondest hope that we keep it here next year, right?”
Smart joins international brands Bitci, Ganten, J9, Molten, Nike, TCL, Tencent, Tissot, and Wanda in supporting the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. The global event will be jointly hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will hold its final phase here in the Philippines in August next year.
Basketball fans can watch the games by downloading GigaPlay on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.