In a historic event, the Philippines set a new attendance record at the Basketball World Cup. A staggering crowd of 38,115 filled the Philippine Arena to witness the game between the host team and the Dominican Republic. This was the biggest crowd ever recorded in the history of the World Cup. The achievement was a long-standing goal for the Philippines, known for its passion for basketball.
The record-breaking game was not only attended by passionate fans but also by notable personalities. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. graced the event alongside Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki, one of FIBA’s ambassadors for the World Cup. Marcos joined the crowd just as his national team scored the first basket of the game. At halftime, he posed for a photo with the squad at midcourt, adding to the excitement of the occasion.
Despite the immense support from the home crowd, the Dominican Republic came out victorious, spoiling the party for the Philippines. Karl-Anthony Towns led his team with an impressive 26 points, securing an 87-81 win in the Group A matchup. Jordan Clarkson showcased his skills for the Philippines, scoring 28 points before fouling out in the final moments of the game.
For the Philippine players, the record-breaking attendance created an unforgettable experience. Philippines forward A.J. Edu expressed his gratitude, saying, “This is something I’m never going to forget, right here. I mean, this was such a blessing to experience. I couldn’t hear anything every time we scored.” The deafening roars from the crowd added to the intensity and passion of the game.
The previous attendance record of 32,616 was set in 1994 during the gold-medal game between the United States and Russia. The impressive turnout at Philippine Arena surpassed that milestone, cementing its place in basketball history. Richard Carrion, the tournament chairman, praised the achievement, stating, “We all knew the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 was going to be special, and within the first day, we already have evidence of this, having witnessed this historic moment.”
Fans showed their dedication by arriving early, with some even waiting for several hours before the game. The excitement began with an opening game at the arena, where Italy defeated Angola in front of 21,214 fans. The audience continued to pour in even after the game, gradually filling up the seats. A pregame concert and an on-court dance performance added to the grandeur of the occasion. The atmosphere reached its peak when the home team entered the court for warm-ups, igniting the crowd’s fervor.
Originally, Philippine Arena was scheduled to host the final phase of the World Cup, including the medal games. However, FIBA made a change to the plan earlier in the year due to traffic and transport concerns. The arena, with a seating capacity of up to 55,000 for certain events, is located at least an hour away from most of the other Manila venues used during the tournament. As a result, Friday’s games were the only ones played at Philippine Arena in this edition of the World Cup, with the remaining matches taking place in smaller venues in Manila, Japan, and Indonesia.
The Philippines’ achievement of breaking the attendance record at the Basketball World Cup is a testament to the country’s unwavering love for the sport. The historic game, attended by notable personalities and passionate fans, will forever be etched in the memory of those present. The Philippines’ dedication and commitment to basketball were on full display, making it a day to remember in the annals of sports history.
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