FIBA global partner Smart Communications, Inc. has officially begun its year-long countdown to the much-anticipated Philippine hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 with a glimpse of world-class basketball action from the FIBAWC Asian Qualifiers Window 4 games.
Gilas Pilipinas will go up against Lebanon on August 26 at 2a.m. and Saudi Arabia on August 29 at 7p.m.
In time for the countdown, Gilas Pilipinas announced that NBA star Jordan Clarkson and Kai Sotto of the Adelaide 36ERS will be suiting up for the FIBAWC Window 4 games, which will be streamed live on the Smart GigaPlay App.
Fans may also experience the Gilas vs. Saudi Arabia action live at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 29.
Joining Clarkson and Sotto in the Gilas Pilipinas 13-man team bound for Lebanon are current stars from the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) led by reigning league MVP Scottie Thompson. Also on the list are Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana, Carl Tamayo, and free agent Roosevelt Adams. Completing the squad are Japan B.League’s Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Bobby Ray Parks, Jr., and Dwight Ramos.
“We can’t wait to bring the FIBA World Cup to the Philippines on August 25, 2023. To watch the best players in the world—including current NBA greats—means everything for Filipino basketball fans. We at Smart are honored to make this possible,” said Alfredo S. Panlilio, Smart President/CEO and President of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).
Fans can watch all the world-class basketball action via the GigaPlay app exclusive for Smart subscribers available for download from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
Smart GigaPlay will stream the World Cup Qualifiers Window 4 live with the following schedules:
- August 26
- Philippines vs Lebanon (2 a.m.) | replay at 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
- Slovenia vs Estonia (2:30 a.m.)
- Canada vs Argentina (10:40 a.m.)
- Kazakhstan vs China (10 p.m.)
- August 28
- Slovenia vs Germany (9 p.m.)
- August 29
- Serbia vs Turkey (1 a.m.)
- Philippines vs Saudi Arabia (7 p.m. and live at the MOA Arena) | replay at 9 p.m.
- August 30
- Japan vs Kazakhstan (5:05 p.m.)