The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Robert Andaya
WATCH, support and enjoy the games.
With these words, Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann urged basketball fans all over the country to come in droves to support the Philippine team to the FIBA World Cup 2023 starting Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
Bachmann, a well -known basketball player himself, reiterated his support for the country’s hosting of the world’s biggest basketball event outside the Olympics and called on basketball-loving Filipinos to show their support to Gilas Pilipinas.
The Jordan Clarkson-led Gilas Pilipinas will play Dominican Republic on Aug.25 at the Philippine Arena and Angola on Aug. 27 and Italy on Aug. 29 both at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“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.
With less than a week before the opening tip of the FIBA World Cup, Bachmann said the PSC, the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and various government agencies are ready to welcome the leading basketball stars from all over the world.
Bachmann also thanked the Office of the President for the declaration of Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 27, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to suspend work in government offices and classes in public schools at all levels in Metro Manila and the Province of Bulacan on Aug 25.
“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,” added Bachmann, who previously served as Operations Head of the country’s FIBA Local Organizing Committee (LOC) prior to his PSC chairmanship.
The colorful opening ceremony, to be headlined by President Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos, Jr, as well as the opening games pitting Italy against Angola and the Philippines against Dominican Republic will be held at the 55 000-seat Philippine Arena.
Succeeding games will be at the historic Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City and the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“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,” concluded Bachmann.