00:00 Basketball fans and enthusiasts had an incredible opportunity to witness the prestigious FIBA
00:06 World Cup 2023's grand prize, the Naismith Trophy, as it returns here in Manila.
00:12 This marks the third leg of the trophy's tour in the Philippines, which kicked off in Cebu
00:17 City, followed by Davao City last week.
00:20 The public display in Pasay City has drawn many FIBA fans, who also witnessed an exciting
00:25 program featuring GILA's Pilipinas ambassadors like former national team player Larry Fonasher,
00:31 Gary David and Jeff Chan.
00:33 "Well it means world class responsibility for us and world class privilege and I hope
00:40 we just give our best foot forward in just hosting this huge event and I hope we really
00:46 do well come August 25."
00:49 The Naismith Trophy, named after basketball inventor James Naismith, will journey through
00:54 the FIBA World Cup 2023 playing venues, the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Smart Araneta
01:00 Coliseum in Quezon City and Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
01:05 The culmination of the trophy tour will take place in Ilocos Norte on August 21 to August
01:10 23.
01:11 The trophy will then return to Manila in time for the August 25 opener featuring GILA's
01:15 Pilipinas against the Dominican Republic at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena.
01:21 Fonasher explains how public support can boost the performance of the Philippine team.
01:25 "To all the fans, please do not underestimate the power of your support in uniting our country
01:31 and our GILA's team against their opponents.
01:34 I experienced it first hand when everyone was cheering for us against our opponents
01:39 and it really had a huge, huge effect in turning the tide into our favor.
01:43 Hopefully in more games, succeeding games, everyone will really rally for our GILA's
01:47 Pilipinas men's team."
01:48 Yesterday's event was also attended by Miss Universe 2018's Catriona Gray as co-host,
01:54 the UP Pep Squad and the dance group Electro Groovers.
01:58 The Philippines will co-host the World Cup this year along with Japan and Indonesia,
02:02 who are among the 32 teams set to vie for the Naismith Trophy.
02:07 While the games will be simultaneously played in the three countries, the championship game
02:11 is slated on September 10 at the Moa Arena in Pasay City.
02:15 In a statement, the SM Moa management says the venues are ready for the FIBA World Cup,
02:20 with some adjustments made to conform to international standards.
02:25 This is the second time the country will be hosting the World Cup since 1978, the last
02:29 time it finished in the top eight.
02:32 The Philippines' best performance came in 1954 when it grabbed third place in the prestigious
02:37 tournament.
02:38 EJ Gomez, CNN, Philippines.
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