Fiba World Cup Naismith Trophy on display in Manila

The Smart Araneta Coliseum will be hosting the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup Asian Qualifiers while serving as venue for the display of the Naismith Trophy.

The Fiba Basketball World Cup trophy will be on display at Smart Araneta Coliseum for the duration of the Group A games.

The Philippines is co-hosting the Basketball World Cup next year along with Indonesia and Japan.

“To see the trophy up close and in person is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for basketball fans,” said Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) president Al Panlilio.

The trophy, which is made almost entirely of gold, already went on tour before the Asian Qualifiers, making rounds at SM Megamall and SM Mall of Asia with fans getting to look at the cup inside Smart stores.

The Naismith Trophy is Fiba’s highest prize and a cup that the Philippines has yet to win.

The United States and Yugoslavia hold the record for most Fiba Basketball World Cup wins with five each.