It's on: 2023 FIBA World Cup officially opens in Manila

Basketball fever is definitely on as the 2023 FIBA World Cup officially opened its curtains across three countries as the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia host the quadrennial global cagefest starting today, August 25.

Four games on the opening day will be staged in the Philippines with Group A and B will be housed at the Araneta Coliseum while Mall of Asia Arena will hold games in Group C and D.

Group E and F, meanwhile, will happen in Okinawa as Jakarta will host Group G and H.

Gilas Pilipinas will open its campaign at the Philippine Arena against the Dominican Republic at 8 p.m. following the clash between Italy and Angola at 4 p.m., which the Europeans won, 81-67.

Read more | FIBA World Cup Preview: A Serbian correspondent breaks down Gilas Pilipinas vs Dominican Republic

In between those games, a star-studded opening ceremony commenced with the likes of pop royalty Sarah Geronimo and band Ben & Ben performing in front of thousands of fans.

At MOA Arena, Mexico and Montenegro battled it out at 4:45 p.m., with the game to be followed by the clash between Lithuania and Egypt at 8:30 p.m.

This is the first time that the Philippines is hosting the World Cup since 1978, where the Philippines finished eighth overall.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News