Smart Araneta Coliseum is all set to host the preliminary round of the FIBA World Cup from Aug. 26 to Sept. 3. The iconic Big Dome underwent improvements to give the players and live audiences an experience like no other at the historic entertainment venue. Audience seats were refurbished, and additional snack booths will be available for spectators. Aside from the Green and Red gates, there is also a new entrance at the upper ground floor of the New Gateway Mall 2. The court’s basketball flooring, backboard, rims and shot clock were replaced while the players dugouts have been renovated for more convenience and comfort. The coliseum now features a new and bigger LED scoreboard cube to give a larger-than-life view of on-court action and updates. A dedicated media working area is allocated near the coliseum’s Red Gate to accommodate local and foreign journalists. The Araneta Group management is constantly coordinating with the local government of Quezon City and the FIBA Local Organizing Committee to ensure the smooth conduct of the event. ‘Hosting the FIBA Basketball World Cup is a momentous highlight for us and for the country this 2023. We are making all the necessary adjustments and improvements to make this once-in-a-lifetime event memorable for all players and audiences at the City of Firsts,” said Irene Jose, the chief operating officer of Uniprom Inc. which is the entertainment arm of the Araneta Group, in a statement released to the media on Wednesday. The Philippines, Angola, Dominican Republic and Italy are in Group A, while China, Puerto Rico, South Sudan and Serbia are in Group B. South Sudan will be up against Puerto Rico at 4 p.m. to be followed by the match Serbia and China at 8 p.m. on Aug. 26. The next day will see Gilas Pilipinas battling Angola at 8 p.m. right after the 4 p.m. match between Dominican Republic and Italy. On Aug. 28, China will tackle South Sudan at 4 p.m. while Puerto Rico will meet Serbia at 8 p.m. Matches on Aug. 29 are Angola against Dominican Republic at 4 p.m. and the Philippines against Italy at 8 p.m. while on Aug. 30 are South Sudan against Serbia at 4 p.m. and China against Puerto Rico at 8 p.m. Tickets for the games at the Smart Araneta Coliseum are available on ticketnet.com.ph. This is the second time that the Araneta Coliseum will host the FIBA World Cup after the semifinal and final games were held in 1978, with Yugoslavia dethroning Soviet Union.
Source: Philippines News Agency