Filipino basketball fans all over the country 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 Presented by J9.basketball.
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 for the event.
The Naismith Trophy will arrive on August 14 in Cebu. On August 15, morning activities will be touring around the Mactan Shrine, CCLEX, and Fort San Pedro. In the afternoon, the Naismith Trophy will be in full display at SM Seaside, together with sharpshooters 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, as there will be stops at the People’s Park, Philippine Eagle Center, and Malagos Chocolate Museum. The Davao stop will be capped with a celebration at the SM Lanang Premier on August 18 with Gary 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 August 19 where the Naismith Trophy will tour all the playing venues in the Philippine Arena, Smart – Araneta Coliseum, and SM Mall of Asia Arena. Larry Fonacier and other Gilas Ambassadors will be joining the event at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium on August 20 where the multi-awarded UP Pep Squad and the gold medalists from the recently concluded World of Dance Junior Championship Electro Groovers will be performing.
Ilocos Norte will be the last stop, with stopovers at the EDC Wind Farm, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, and Suba Sand Dunes from August 21 to 23.
Robinsons Place Ilocos Norte will be the venue for the mall event on August 23, where Gilas Ambassadors will once again accompany the Naismith Trophy, with performances from the Saguday Performing Arts Group and “Princess Rapper of the North” Faifai Flojo.
The FIBA World Cup games will kick off on August 25 with Angola taking on Italy followed by Gilas Pilipinas facing off against the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena, and Mexico versus Montenegro and Egypt battling Lithuania at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Fans will be able to witness opening day games at the Philippine Arena, and succeeding games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, by availing of tickets via ticketnet.com.ph. or at ticket outlets located at the Yellow Gate of the Smart Araneta Coliseum, 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 Department Store Galleria.
Tickets for games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, on the other hand, are on sale at smtickets.com. or at ticket outlets located at the Coral Box Office of SM Mall of Asia Arena, 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.