Naismith Trophy goes on tour in the Philippines

The Naismith Trophy, the top prize in basketball's biggest international competition, will be toured around the Philippines ahead of the country's hosting of the 2023 FIBA World Cup on August 25.

The trophy will be flown to Cebu, Davao, Manila, and Ilocos Norte with former Gilas Pilipinas players serving as ambassadors of the event.

The Naismith Trophy, named after basketball inventor James Naismith, arrived in Cebu on Monday and will be involved in activities around the Mactan Shrine, CCLEX, and Fort San Pedro in the morning of August 15. It will then be in full display at the SM Seaside City Cebu in the afternoon with ex-Gilas shooters Gary David and Jeff Chan gracing the festivities.

On August 18, the trophy will arrive in Davao with Jayson Castro joining David in the activities before it travels to Manila on August 19. It will have stops at the Philippine Arena, Smart Araneta Coliseum, and SM Mall of Asia Arena, all of which will be the venues for the World Cup.

Larry Fonacier and other Gilas Ambassadors will be joining the event at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium on August 20.

Its last stop will be in Ilocos Norte with stopovers at the EDC Wind Farm, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, and Suba Sand Dunes from August 21 to 23.

The Naismith Trophy tour kicked off ahead of the Philippines' campaign at the global conclave, where Gilas Pilipinas will take on Angola, Italy, and Dominican Republic.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News