President’s Hall, Malacañan Palace
April 28, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. received the key representatives of the International Basketball Association (Fédération Internationale de Basketball or FIBA) and Samahan ng Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) at the President’s Hall in Malacañan Palace.

The SBP is the national sports association for basketball recognized by FIBA, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) as the leading body in the promotion and development of basketball in the Philippines.

The Philippines is gearing up for the FIBA Basketball World Cup this year, which is returning to the country after its last hosting 45 years ago. By virtue of Administrative Order (AO) No. 5 signed by the President on 27 March 2023, an inter-agency task force was created and chaired by the PSC that would be responsible for “streamlining, integrating, harmonizing, and coordinating all government efforts with the plans and programs of the SBP and its Local Organizing Committee, towards the effective preparation and successful participation of all delegates in the FIBA World Cup 2023.”

The group phase of the basketball tournament will be hosted simultaneously by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia from 25-30 August 2023, with the games in the country to be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia. The final phase, slated on 5-10 September 2023, will be at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

The draw for this momentous competition, which will determine the paths of the 32 participating nations, is set to be carried out this coming April 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

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