NBA thrilled to help build excitement in PH for Fiba World Cup

The Fiba Basketball World Cup Naismith Trophy. –SMART PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum believes the Fiba World Cup draw on Saturday evening at Smart Araneta Coliseum will “create a whole other level of excitement” for Filipino fans ahead of its hosting of the prestigious basketball championship in August.

Tatum, who is also a Fiba board member, marveled at the excitement of the country going to the historic World Cup 2023 draw, where former NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki, Yao Ming, and global ambassador Luis Scola will attend.

“The momentum here now in the Philippines is fantastic because one of the reasons I’m in town is for the Fiba World Cup draw,” said Tatum during a media roundtable at NBA Office on Thursday.

“Having the World Cup here and in Indonesia and Japan, I think, is going to create this spark and this additional momentum for basketball in the region. The World Cup draw is going to be a great event. It’s going to be where many of the teams figure out where they’re going to play, who their competition is.”

Gilas Pilipinas will banner Group A seeing action at Philippine Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum, while Team USA was automatically selected in Group C  to play at Mall of Asia Arena ahead of the draw.

The other 30 teams will be drawn on Saturday’s draw, where Saweetie, Billy Crawford, and Sarah Geronimo will perform.

“I think that’s going to create a whole other level of excitement when we see who the home team the Philippines plays and who the USA plays and who France and Canada and Spain and all these great teams that are going to be participating in the 32 great teams of the World Cup,” said Tatum. “I think it’s never been a greater and better time to be a fan of the NBA. I think the momentum here in the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia is picking up.”

NO PRESEASON PLANS IN PH

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum. –NBA HANDOUT

Almost a decade ago the first NBA preseason game between the Indiana Pacers and Houston Rockets was held at MOA Arena. NBA Asia Managing Director Ramez Sheikh admitted a preseason match won’t happen in the Philippines as of now.

But Sheikh said Filipino fans will see a lot of NBA stars playing in the country as the World Cup group phase will be held at MOA Arena Big Dome, and MOA Arena from August 25 to September 4, while the Final phase is set at MOA Arena from September 5 to 10.

“While we don’t have any current plans to play any preseason games in the Philippines, in Manila, we’re always open to the conversation. Our teams are heavily in demand to play across the world before our season typically kicks off in October,” he said.

“We’re going to see so many NBA players here in Manila in the next few months who will bring their NBA-caliber talent. So fans here are going to be able to see so many players, NBA players together with international players.”

Tatum agreed with Sheikh as a lot of international basketball players have emerged as NBA stars outside of Team USA.

“I think 20 of the 32 teams will have NBA players on them. It’s not just the USA team that features NBA players anymore. The whole Canadian national team (members) are NBA players and most of the French team and most of the Australian team and most of the Spanish team,” Tatum said.

“There will probably be a record number of NBA players participating in this World Cup. I think that is maybe some Celtics players. So I agree. I’m excited, like Ramez is, to have those NBA players here in the market playing for their national teams. I think the fans are going to love it.”