PH at fever pitch for upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023

As the countdown to the most anticipated and monumental event in the history of Philippine sports is now a mere handful of days, sports enthusiasts across the globe are definitely high with fervor over the upcoming FIBA World Cup 2023. Once more, the global basketball arena will be brimming with exceptional talent, topnotch basketball skills and cross-cultural camaraderie. The best part is it will all happen here in the Philippines.

Now that we’re on the brink of witnessing this historical event, it is essential to recognize the hard work and tireless efforts of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the esteemed national sports association for basketball in the country, which spearheaded the preparations for the FIBA World Cup 2023. Through their dedication and the unwavering support of the national government, the Philippines is now ready to host this momentous sports event.

Undeterred by the hurdles presented by the global health crisis, SBP has showcased their remarkable resilience and determination to ensure that we will be fully prepared to stage the prestigious basketball tournament in the country. It can be recalled that back in 2021, SBP President Al S. Panlilio has ensured the public that despite the pandemic, the local federation has continued to coordinate closely with different partners and officials from Japan and Indonesia, which are co-hosting the quadrennial basketball event alongside the Philippines. True to his words, the whole nation is now prepared to savor the global attention that comes with mounting FIBA’s flagship event.

The surge of excitement surrounding the FIBA World Cup has reached new heights as the officials and delegates from different participating countries, led by FIBA President Hamane Niang, have started to arrive in the country. Among the early birds were Angola, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Greece, Mexico and Montenegro, which all arrived over the long weekend.

Crowd favorite Team USA led by Golden State Warriors’ Steve Kerr with Filipino-American pride Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat as one of his assistants is scheduled to land today, August 22. Teams from Italy, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Siberia are also arriving on the same day as the US team, while China, Jordan, Lithuania and South Sudan will be arriving on Wednesday. Out of the 32 participating countries, 16 teams, including our very own Gilas Pilipinas, will be playing the first group stage here in the Philippines.

The opening ceremony is set to take place at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Friday, Aug. 25. With everyone at fever pitch, combined with the impressive seating capacity of the Arena, the Philippines is aiming not just to deliver a spectacular opener but to also surpass the previous attendance record of 32,616 fans from the 1994 edition in Toronto, Canada.

The Philippine Arena, Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, and Smart Araneta Coliseum all underwent makeovers as part of the preparations for the event kickoff. MOA Arena and the Smart Araneta Coliseum will serve as the main venues for the group stages, while the Philippine Arena will be used for the quarterfinals, semifinals and medal games. The local organizing committee (LOC) has installed new basketball backboards, competition lights, scoreboards and flooring to give these venues a fresh and sophisticated look.

Likewise, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as the country’s primary gateway, has been designed to match the colors of the tournament. To ensure that the entry and exit of the delegates will be seamless, the Department of Tourism (DOT) set up information desks within NAIA for the convenience of the officials, delegates and other foreign spectators, who are here for the prestigious event. The Bureau of Immigration likewise set up courtesy lanes for the delegates, who will also be granted access to VIP parking and airport lounges.

Simply put, the primary goal is to ensure that the hosting of this prestigious event will be seamless and hassle-free for all those participating. To ensure that delegates will not be pestered by slow-moving traffic in main roads and highways, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will implement intermittent stops in key areas of the metro such as EDSA, Kalayaan Avenue, Diokno Boulevard, Roxas Boulevard, Andrews Avenue, Sales Road and in other routes that will be recommended by FIBA.

MMDA will also deploy over 1,300 personnel in the aforementioned areas to provide guidance to motorists and to ensure that the traffic situation will remain manageable. Mall-wide sales that may affect EDSA and other identified key areas are likewise temporarily suspended from Aug. 17 to Sept. 10 through the implementation of Memorandum Circular No. 7, s. 2023.

Furthermore, MMDA will also grant access to the FIBA LOC so the committee can use the agency’s state-of-the-art monitoring headquarters as a coordination center for the duration of the tournament.

In a special edition of the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum recently held at the Meralco Conference Hall, Mr. Panlilio said: "Everybody is ready to go. I'm hoping the best World Cup ever for FIBA in terms of not only showing the world that we can host a global event like this, but really the hospitality of the Filipino people, the smiles and generosity of our people. I'm sure they can feel that."

It looks like all these concerted efforts have not gone unnoticed. According to FIBA LOC International Relations and Protocol Head Pauline Ick, they have received only good feedback from the delegates as “they have not been received the same way in other international sports”. She also added, “FIBA is beyond amazed at how Filipinos have gone above and beyond in preparing for this hosting.”

Poised for an explosive start, the Philippines should maintain this momentum until this prestigious event comes to a close. This is a very opportune time to showcase what our country can offer in and outside the basketball arena. As the whole world is watching, we should also capitalize on our well-earned reputation as a very hospitable and welcoming country and show the world that Filipinos, in every aspect, exemplify true world-class excellence.