MANILA – Filipino fans will get a chance to see the top prize in international basketball as the Naismith Trophy will be flown to Cebu, Davao, Manila, and Ilocos Norte for the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour.
Aside from seeing the solid gold trophy that will be awarded to the winner of the upcoming World Cup, fans will also get to meet Gilas Pilipinas greats who are serving as ambassadors of the event.
The Naismith Trophy arrived Monday in Cebu and will be touring around the Mactan Shrine, Cebu–Cordova Link Expressway and Fort San Pedro on Tuesday. It will be on display at SM Seaside in the afternoon, to be graced by Gary David and Jeff Chan.
Special performances from the University of Cebu cheering team and 2010 Sinulog Idol grand winner Jacky Chang are also sure to excite the local fans.
Next up on the tour will be Davao, with stops at the People’s Park, Philippine Eagle Center and Malagos Chocolate Museum. It will be capped with a celebration at SM Lanang Premier on Aug. 18 with David and two-time Best Point Guard in Asia Jayson Castro.
Performing in Davao are the Madayaw Cheer Revolution Cheetahs, the dance group Fusion, and Ralph Angelo Merced.
Manila will be the next stop on Aug. 19 where the Naismith Trophy will tour all the playing venues (Philippine Arena in Bulacan, Smart - Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City and Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City).
Larry Fonacier and other Gilas ambassadors will be joining the event at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium on Aug. 20, with the multi-awarded University of the Philippines Pep Squad and the Electro Groovers. gold medalists in the recent World of Dance Junior Championship.
Ilocos Norte will be the last stop, with stopovers at the EDC Wind Farm, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, and Suba Sand Dunes from Aug. 21 to 23.
Robinsons Place Ilocos Norte will be the venue for the mall event on Aug. 23, where Gilas ambassadors will once again accompany the Naismith Trophy.
The FIBA World Cup games will kick off on Aug. 25 with Angola taking on Italy, followed by Gilas Pilipinas facing the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena, and Mexico versus Montenegro and Egypt battling Lithuania at Mall of Asia Arena.
Fans will be able succeeding games at Smart Araneta Coliseum by availing of tickets via ticketnet.com.ph. or at ticket outlets located at the yellow gate, Fishermall, Eastwood Mall, SM Aura, SM Fairview, SM Makati, SM Manila, SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM San Lazaro, SM Southmall, SM Sta Mesa, SM Mall of Asia, SM Marikina and Robinsons Galleria Department Store.
Tickets for games at Mall of Asia Arena, on the other hand, are on sale at smtickets.com. or at ticket outlets located at the Coral Box Office; SM Cinemas at SM Aura, Clark, Bacolod, Davao, Baguio, Grand Central, Cebu, Manila, Batangas, Iloilo, Marilao, Megamall, BF, Lanang, North EDSA, Podium, Cagayan de Oro, Sta Rosa, and Southmall; SM Store Business Center outlets at SM Cubao, Mall of Asia, and Makati; and at the SM Skating and Leisure Center at SM Mall of Asia. (PR)
