The 20,000 ticket holders of the opening-day matches of the FIBA World Cup will get free rides to the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas said shuttle services will be available at several pick-up points going to the venue.
“At least 20,000 ticket holders can use the shuttle service to the Philippine Arena for the opening games of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on August 25. Pick-up points to be announced soon” said the SBP official page.
The tournament opener will have the Gilas Pilipinas taking on the Dominican Republic in the main event set at 8 p.m., while Angola and Italy battle it out in the first game starting at 4 p.m. in the Philippines’ biggest basketball venue that can accommodate 55,000 fans.
SBP president Al Panlilio has urged Filipino basketball fans to troop to the Philippine Arena to set a new FIBA gate record.
The magic number to pass is 32,616, when the United States Dream Team II of NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal, Reggie Miller, Dominique Wilkins, Shawn Kemp, and Alonzo Mourning, among others, played in the Final of the 1994 FIBA World Championship in Toronto, Canada.
The Americans routed Russia, 137-91, in the most lopsided championship in World Cup history.