Filipino basketball aficionados have something exhilarating on the horizon! The famed Naismith Trophy, the ultimate prize in international basketball, is coming to the Philippine courts!
To spread the hype on the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Trophy Tour, the Naismith Trophy will go on a road trip to four cities: Cebu, Davao, Manila, and Ilocos Norte.
This initiative aims to bring the thrill to the upcoming FIBA World Cup and bring the international tournament closer to basketball fans. Alongside this tour, fans will also get to meet Gilas Pilipinas, who serve as ambassadors for the event.
So far, the Naismith Trophy visited Cebu on August 14 and traveled to locations like Mactan Shrine, CCLEX, and Fort San Pedro by August 15. In the afternoon, the trophy was displayed at SM Seaside, along with professional sharpshooters Gary David and Jeff Chan.
Next on the tour is Davao. The trophy will visit the People’s Park, Philippine Eagle Center, and Malagos Chocolate Museum. On August 18, the tour will also be part of the celebration at SM Lanang Premier with basketball players Gary David and Jayson Castro, a two-time Best Point Guard in Asia. The Madayaw Cheer Revolution Cheetahs, the dance group Fusion, and Ralph Angelo Merced will also be performing.
The trophy will arrive in Manila on August 19, and visit all the playing venues in the Philippine Arena, Smart – Araneta Coliseum, and SM Mall of Asia Arena. On August 20, Larry Fonacier and other Gilas Ambassadors will join the tour at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium. The event will feature performances by the UP Pep Squad and the World of Dance Junior Championship Electro Groovers.
The final stop will be in Ilocos Norte from August 21 to 23. The Naismith Trophy will visit the EDC Wind Farm, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, and Suba Sand Dunes during this time. On August 23, there will be a mall event at Robinsons Place Ilocos Norte. The Gilas Ambassadors will be present along with the trophy. The event will also feature performances from the Saguday Performing Arts Group and “Princess Rapper of the North” Faifai Flojo.
The FIBA World Cup games are scheduled for August 25. Angola will play against Italy, while Gilas Pilipinas will face the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena. Meanwhile, Mexico will go against Montenegro, and Egypt will battle Lithuania at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
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