Record-Breaking Basketball World Cup Opener in the Philippines
In a historic moment for the Basketball World Cup, the Philippines made headlines with a record-breaking crowd of 38,115 spectators at the Philippine Arena. This marked the largest attendance ever recorded for a World Cup game, surpassing the previous record of 32,616 set in 1994. Hosted by the Philippines, the game between the home team and the Dominican Republic drew immense interest from fans and dignitaries alike.
Among the notable attendees were Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, who serves as one of FIBA’s ambassadors for the World Cup. President Marcos arrived and took his courtside seat just as the Philippine team scored the first basket of the game. He later joined the team at midcourt for a photo during halftime. The presence of esteemed individuals added to the excitement and grandeur of the event.
However, the Dominican Republic dampened the spirits of the home fans by securing an 87-81 victory in the Group A matchup. Karl-Anthony Towns led the way for the Dominican Republic with an impressive 26-point performance, while Jordan Clarkson scored 28 points for the Philippines before fouling out in the final moments of the game.
Despite the disappointment of the loss, the atmosphere in the arena was electric, and the experience was described as a blessing by Philippines forward AJ Edu. The deafening cheers from the crowd made it challenging for the players to communicate on the court, highlighting the immense support and passion of the Filipino basketball fans.
The Philippine Arena was initially scheduled to host the final phase of the World Cup, including the medal games. However, earlier this year, FIBA changed the plan due to traffic and transport concerns. Although the arena has a capacity of up to 55,000 for certain events, it is located at least an hour away from most of the other Manila venues being used in the tournament. This decision ensures that the record attendance witnessed on the opening day of the World Cup will remain unbroken for the remainder of the tournament.
The significance of this record-breaking event exemplifies the anticipation and excitement surrounding the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023. Tournament chairman Richard Carrion expressed his belief that this historic moment on the first day of the competition is evidence of the extraordinary nature of the upcoming World Cup.
With fans arriving early, some even a few hours before the game, the enthusiasm was palpable. An opening game between Italy and Angola preceded the Philippines-Dominican Republic matchup. The presence of a pre-game concert and an on-court dance performance further elevated the spectacle. As the home team took the floor to warm up, the entire arena erupted with thunderous applause.
The Basketball World Cup opener in the Philippines has already etched itself into the history books, setting a new benchmark for attendance. Although future games in the tournament will be played in smaller venues across Manila, Japan, and Indonesia, the breathtaking atmosphere and the record-breaking crowd at the Philippine Arena will be remembered as a defining moment in the World Cup’s storied legacy.
