BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Draw presented by Wanda hype is no fluke, as evidenced by the well-attended event held last April 29 at the Araneta Coliseum. The draw is intended to make the 32 teams from different countries aware of their opponent at the flagship event.

The 19th edition of the renowned tournament will happen from August 25 to September 10 in the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia. Here are the specific venues where the games will take place: Araneta Coliseum, Mall of Asia Arena, Okinawa Arena, and Indonesia Arena.

Asia’s Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo kicked off the program with a bang, performing her hits Dati-dati and Tala. Billy Crawford, whose last hit song is Bright Lights from 2004, sang the said song as a solo at first, then Sarah eventually did a duet with him.

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, was present during the draw, as well as LA Tenorio, who just had his successful tumor operation. He and Catriona were introduced onstage with Takehiko Orika, who became a Japanese basketball legend for being the first player to reach 10,000 in the men’s league’s history, and Central Board Member and FIBA Players’ Commission Chair Dirk Nowitski 

FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 Global Ambassador Luis Scola was also there to assist during the draw. It is important to note that the principles of the draw are based on FIBA World Ranking Men, as well as principles involving geography. Draw seeding play an important part, which placed the 32 teams into 8 pot, every single one containing the four venues. 

Also in attendance were FIBA President Hamane Niang, together with the FIBA Central Board, FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis, the 3 Local Organizing Committee (LOC) Chairs, and other VIPs from host nations as well as National Federation participants’ representatives.

International hip-hop sensation and Grammy nominee Saweetie, a Filipino-American, ended the night with a medley of her hits such as Best Friend, My Type, Icy Grl, Tap In, and more.

First held 1994 in Canada, this is the first time FIBA will take place across three host countries: Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Buzz Beat Media