Local organizers of the FIBA Basketball World Cup held a simulation of games at the Mall of Asia Arena in preparation for a near-flawless conduct of the real action when the world’s best basketball teams display their wares beginning Friday (Aug. 25) until Sept. 10 in the Philippines, Indonesia and Japan.
The MOA Arena will host Mexico and Montenegro as they open hostilities Friday at 4:44 p.m., to be followed by the Egypt-Lithuania tussle at 8.45 p.m.
Members of select media were picked to play, with two teams acting as Mexico and Montenegro.
From the changing area to the playing court, they were asked to follow game protocols, including the live TV production.
The two World Cup teams’ national anthems were played, and the actors/players followed the schedule from the warm-up to the introduction of the final lineup.
The production crew covered the simulation like it was the actual game, while staffers, table officials and security acted as if it was the real thing.
“We’re ready and all set,” said venue manager Mark Solano.
MOA will host Groups C and D for the first round, Group J for the second round, the 17-32nd classification round, the quarterfinals, 5th-8th classification, battles for 5th and 7th, the semifinals, battle for 3rd place, and the finals.
For reporter, the MOA has also set the media center and catering areas for those covering from around the world.
It also has a media tribune that can accommodate more than 300 working journalists and photographers.