The year-long countdown to the much-anticipated Philippine hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has begun with a glimpse of world-class basketball action from the FIBAWC Asian Qualifiers Window 4 games that will pit Gilas Pilipinas against Lebanon on Friday, Aug. 26, at 2:00 a.m. and then Saudi Arabia on Monday, Aug. 29, at 7:00 p.m.
The Philippines will be bannered by NBA star Jordan Clarkson together with Kai Sotto. Joining them are some current stars from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) led by reigning league MVP Scottie Thompson.
Also on the list are Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Carl Tamayo, and free agent Roosevelt Adams.
Completing the squad are Japan B.League’s Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., and Dwight Ramos.
“We can’t wait to bring the FIBA World Cup to the Philippines on August 25, 2023. To watch the best players in the world — including current NBA greats — means everything for Filipino basketball fans. We at Smart are honored to make this possible,” Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President/CEO and President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) said.
“To give us a taste of what’s going to happen one year from now, we will host the Gilas vs. Saudi Arabia game on Aug. 29 at the MOA Arena. Our national team will be led by no less than Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto,” Panlilio added.
Aside from his roles with Smart and the SBP, Panlilio also serves as the Chairman of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 local organizing committee, and the Second Vice President of the FIBA Asia Central Board.
The World Cup Qualifiers Window 4 will be streamed live via Smart GigaPlay App. The games on Aug. 26 will see the Philippines squaring off against Lebanon starting at 2:00 a.m. Other games on tap include Slovenia vs Estonia (2:30 a.m.), Canada vs Argentina (10:40 a.m.), and Kazakhstan vs China (10 p.m.).
On August 28, Slovenia faces Germany at 9:00 p.m. Then on Aug. 29, it will be Serbia vs. Turkey at 1:00 a.m. followed by the Philippines vs. Saudi Arabia match at 7:00 p.m., live from the MOA Arena.
Japan faces Kazakhstan on Aug. 30 at 5:05 p.m.
The Gilas games will also be replayed via the GigaPlay App with the following schedules: Gilas vs Lebanon on Aug. 26 at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. The Gilas vs Saudi Arabia game will be shown on Aug. 29 at 9:00 p.m. (PR) – bny
