Basketball fans are in for a special, unique experience on and off the playing venues as the FIBA World Cup 2023 Fan Zone opened its gates on Friday at the Mall of Asia’s Music Hall.
The Fan Zone, which offers free admission until Sept. 10, has interactive booths, shooting challenges, arcade games, a fan shop, special performances, raffles, and live viewing parties.
The Fan Zone is open from 1 to 10 p.m. from Monday to Friday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday.
While major events are happening over at the massive Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on the day of the opening of the world’s biggest basketball tournament, the MOA Arena played host to Montenegro-Mexico tussle and the Lithuania-Egypt match.
Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Al Panlilio of the FIBA local organizing committee and Richard Carrion of the FIBA Central Board led in gracing the opening ceremonies together with FIBA World Cup ambassadors and former Gilas Pilipinas members Jeff Chan and Gabe Norwood and other local SBP officials and the MVP Sports Foundation.
Other officials present were John Lucas, events executive of the local organizing committee, and MVP Sports Foundation executive director Jude Turcuato.
The debut matches at the MOA Arena on Friday featured Montenegro versus Mexico at 4:45 p.m. and Lithuania against Egypt at 8:30 p.m. Single game tickets can be purchased at smtickets.com.
Over at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, the nearby Gateway Mall activity area also opened a merchandise booth, Gilas painting activities, and FIBA arcade games for the fans.
“It’s a basketball fever like no other. Even the FIBA has learned from us the way we run our programs,” said SBP executive director Sonny Barrios.