Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 25) — The Philippines proved once again that basketball is life.
A total of 38,115 basketball fans on Friday trooped to the Philippine Arena to witness the match between Gilas Pilipinas and the Dominican Republic in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup opening.
The previous record was 32,616 attendees during the 1994 finals match between the United States and Russia at the Skydome (now called Rogers Centre) in Toronto, Canada.
Fans from all over the Philippines and abroad converged at the 55,000-seater indoor stadium in Bocaue, Bulacan to watch the opening match between Angola and Italy.
Making 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 in Manila 🤩
3️⃣8️⃣,1️⃣1️⃣5️⃣ fans packed Philippine Arena, setting a new FIBA Basketball World Cup record as the 2023 edition started with PUSO and passion!#FIBAWC x #WinForAll pic.twitter.com/PCoE67plIP
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) August 25, 2023
The record-breaking audiences were also treated with performances by OPM (Original Pilipino Music) bands Ben&Ben and The Dawn, and Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo.
The tournament in the Philippines will run until Sept. 10, with other matches to be held at the Araneta Coliseum and the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
