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Team USA coach Kerr excited for FIBA World Cup in Manila
Team USA and Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is among those excited to go to Manila for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
In a video posted by NBA Philippines on Friday, Kerr shared he is looking forward to the enthusiasm of basketball fans in the country.
"I'm so excited to go to Manila," Kerr said. "I've never been to the Philippines so I know this will be fun."
@nbaphilippines Coach Kerr looks excited for his trip to the Philippines ???????? #NBAPhilippines #RepublikaNgNBA #NBA #fyp #foryoupage #FIBAWC #SteveKerr #BasketballTikTokPH
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"I know how popular basketball is [there]," Kerr added, citing a talk with one of their staff who previously played in Manila. "But he's told us how basketball-crazed the fans are there. So it's going to be a lot of fun. We're really excited."
Team USA and Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves also previously described fans in the Philippines as 'big Laker fans.'
He also talked about how Kerr would inject his 'championship DNA' as Team USA hopes to claim the Naismith Trophy at the end of the FIBA World Cup.
Kerr, as a player, has won the NBA championship five times, and won the title four times as coach of the Warriors.
The United States will open their World Cup campaign against the New Zealand Tall Blacks on August 26, followed by Greece on August 28, and Jordan on August 30.
The Philippine men's national basketball team Gilas Pilipinas, meanwhile, will open their World Cup campaign on August 25 against Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena, followed by their matches against Angola on August 27 and Italy on August 29 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Along with the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia will also host the group stage matches of the World Cup, while the final phase of the tournament will be held in Manila. The men's basketball World Cup will run until September 10.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
