The Philippine Arena, Bulacan
August 25, 2023

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined basketball fans in the Philippines and all over the world in witnessing the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 as it unfolded at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

The Philippines first staged the world’s biggest basketball tournament in 1978, where former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. led the ceremonial toss.

45 years later, President Marcos Jr. eagerly watched Gilas Pilipinas as it started its campaign with a match against the Dominican Republic.

A total of 38,115 fans flocked to the Philippine Arena, setting a new world record for the most spectators at an indoor World Cup game since the 1994 World Cup final in Toronto, Canada.

The FIBA or the International Basketball Federation (Fédération Internationale de Basketball) Basketball World Cup 2023 is being hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia from August 25 to September 10, 2023. The 32 participating teams are set to play 92 games in over 16 days. The games in the Philippines are being held at the Philippine Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum and SM Mall of Asia.

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