The Filipino crowd has always been Gilas Pilipinas’ sixth man. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
For those who are still thinking about watching the Philippines-Japan game in the 2019 Fiba World Cup qualifiers live, don’t bother.
As per Fiba.com, the duel set on Nov. 24 at Komazawa Gymnasium in Tokyo has already sold out as early as Monday.
“I am so pleased to know fans in Japan pay a great deal of attention to the game against Philippines,” said Michihiro Tanaka, secretary-general of Japan Basketball Association.
“I truly hope our team will show their best and start the road to the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 with a victory in front of our home fans.”
The historical venue, which staged the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, only has a seating capacity of a little under 4,000.
After Japan, Gilas Pilipinas, which will be bannered by the returning Andray Blatche, four-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo and Jayson Castro, faces rival Chinese Taipei at home at Smart Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 27.
The Philippines aims to make a good account of itself after a disappointing seventh-place finish in the 2017 Fiba Asia Cup three months ago.