PSC chairman urges Filipinos to watch FIBA World Cup games

Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman Richard Bachmann encouraged Filipino fans to watch the games at the 2023 FIBA World Cup here, especially the matches of Gilas Pilipinas national team, as the country hosts the global cagefest for the first time since 1978.

“As the games return to our home soil, this historic event will forever be etched in the chronicles of our basketball history. So, I invite our kababayans to watch the games, may it be live or online,” said Bachmann in a statement with only a week left before the World Cup.

“The PSC came out with this appeal to the Office of the Executive Secretary a few weeks back. We’re thankful that this was granted immediately to ensure the safe, orderly, and successful conduct of the opening ceremonies."

The opening ceremonies will kick off at the Philippine Arena on August 25 to be followed by Gilas Pilipinas' match with powerhouse Dominican Republic, which is expected to be led by NBA star Karl Anthony Towns.

Succeeding games will be played at the Smart Araneta Coliseum where the Filipinos will take on Angola and Italy. Aside from the Philippines' Group A, also seeing action in Manila are Groups B, C, and D.

Group B has South Sudan, Serbia, China, and Puerto Rico while the United States, Jordan, Greece, and New Zealand are bunched in Group C. Egypt, Mexico, Montenegro, and Lithuania are in Group D.

“We are optimistic that with the immense support from our national government and the PSC, many of our Filipino basketball fans will fill up the seats in every game and be part of history,” said Bachmann.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News