PH NAGTALA NG BAGONG FIBA CROWD RECORD

NAGTALA ang Pilipinas ng bagong attendance record para sa isang FIBA game noong Biyernes ng gabi.

May kabuuang 38,115 basketball fans ang nagtungo sa Philippine Arena upang saksihan ang laro sa pagitan ng Gilas Pilipinas at ng Dominican Republic sa opening ng 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Ang dating record ay 32,616 attendees sa 1994 finals match sa pagitan ng United States at ng Russia sa Skydome (tinatawag ngayong Rogers Centre) sa Toronto, Canada.

“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,” sabi ni Richard Carrion, ang FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 chairman.

“Everyone inside the Philippine Arena will never forget the amazing levels of love for both basketball and the Philippines national team that was cascading around the venue,” dagdag pa niya.

“This is just the start for what will be the most memorable event in FIBA’s history and we’re all excited for what lies ahead – both on and off the court. Not only in the Philippines, but also in Japan and Indonesia.”

Para kay Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan, ang pagtala ng record ay nagbigay katuparan sa matagal nang layunin ng federation.

“Ever since we put in the bid to host the World Cup in 2015, the mission was to showcase the Filipino people’s love for basketball,” aniya. “We often say we’re the best fans in the world, but beating the old FIBA attendance record has proven what we have believed all along.”

Hawak din ng Philippine Arena ang record para sa most-attended PBA game, nang manood ang 54,589 fans sa Game 7 ng 2022-23 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals sa pagitan ng Barangay Ginebra at ng Bay Area Dragons sa kaagahan ng taon. this

Ang record-breaking audiences ay hinandugan din ng performances ng OPM (Original Pilipino Music) bands Ben&Ben at The Dawn, at ni Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo.