BEST FANS IN THE WORLD. Filipinos cheer their hearts out for Gilas Pilipinas at the FIBA Basketball World Cup opener at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Friday (Aug. 25, 2023). Though Dominican Republic won, 87-81, the nation's passion for the sport set a new record crowd of 38,115 to eclipse the 32,616 who watched the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Canada where the USA “Dream Team II” waylaid Russia, 137-91. (PNA photo by Rey Baniquet)
MANILA – As expected, the opening day of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in the Philippines achieved its goal of breaking the 29-year-old record attendance in a single game.
A total of 38,115 fans turned up for the Philippines-Dominican Republic match at Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
They surpassed the 32,616 spectators of the 1994 World Championship (now the World Cup) finals at Skydome in Toronto, Canada, where the United States beat Russia.
Even Dominican Republic’s NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns, could not help but be mesmerized by the Filipinos' passion after guiding his side to a close-fought 87-81 win in his national team return.
"Filipino fans are amazing. I really appreciate all the fans showing us so much love and generosity and graciousness in our welcome here," he said, as quoted by the FIBA World Cup website.
"It's amazing that we have such a chance to visit such a beautiful country and to meet such amazing people who are so loving to the game of basketball and celebrate their country and their team so hard. I respect fans who respect their people. Salamat, mabuhay (Thank you, long live)!"
There probably isn't a more fitting place on the planet for a World Cup record to be broken.
"People are raised on basketball from the age of 2 and 3 years old," said Team Philippines assistant coach Tim Cone, an American who has spent most of life in the country. "We have three seasons: rainy season, wet season and basketball season, and we play basketball through it all."
Gilas Pilipinas Ariel John Edu saw it first-hand.
"For us to host the World Cup is amazing," he said. "Playing against great competition like the Dominican Republic just sets up a great atmosphere for the tournament and our fans have so much passion for basketball."
Throughout the game, one could hear the grunts and groans of the crowd with every foul and missed shot.
Even when Gilas Pilipinas star player Jordan Clarkson fouled out, the fans grew even louder, carrying the players all the way to the game's final moments.
Dominican Republic head coach, Nestor Garcia, acknowledged the deafening atmosphere.
"The crowd was unbelievable," he said. "They were so loud, but they respected the game. All the fans supported their team but still respected our team."
However, the outcome that Philippine coach Chot Reyes hoped for did not go as planned.
"(Winning) would have been a great gift to the record number of people that showed up," Reyes shared, tipping his hat off to Towns' performance. "The players fought really, really hard, but in the end... their guy just went to work and kept going to the basket. It was too much for us."
"To be here in the Philippines, I remember playing in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament here in 2016. I remember the fans being awesome," said New Zealand's Isaac Fotu. "It's already been awesome so far. It's great to be back."
Most awaited
Perhaps not surprisingly, the US team has been at the center of attention.
Earlier in the week, the Americans touched down in Manila to a very warm reception by both local representatives and tournament organizers at the airport.
As they traveled to their hotel, they were met with an enthusiastic spectacle of motorcycle-riding fans, merrily waving in salute to the motorcade.
"I love it. The people are great. Where we're staying is great," said Austin Reaves. "Just the interactions we have with everybody and the love that they have for basketball is special."
His teammate, Jaren Jackson Jr., and USA Basketball managing director Grant Hill couldn't agree more.
"It's dope. Being out here, seeing a lot of people, feeling the energy of Manila," Jackson said.
"I had the good fortune of visiting Manila in 1996. The love for the game is absolutely incredible," added Hill.
For USA assistant coach and Filipino-American icon Erik Spoelstra, the event carries even more significance and not even head coach Steve Kerr could deny the effect of "Spo" on the local fans.
"I love it. It’s so great seeing Spo here. A Filipino legend and wonderful to see the attention that he is getting," Kerr shared. "But also the way he reveres his fellow countrymen and honors his past. It’s beautiful to see."
Spoelstra’s mother, Elisa, hails from San Pablo, Laguna.
"Congratulations as well to every attendee who helped set a new crowd record," President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who watched the Philippines' game, posted on X (formerly Twitter).
The Philippines’ Gilas Pilipinas team will attempt to bounce back against Angola at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Sunday and will cap its Group A assignments against Italy at the same venue on Tuesday. (FIBA/PNA)
