The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is about to unfold with basketball legend Luis Scola gracing the draw while American rapper Saweetie joins local stars Sarah Geronimo and Billy Crawford tipped to deliver electrifying performances on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Scola has won multiple medals as a member of the Argentinian national squad, including two silver medals in the FIBA World Championships in 2002 and 2019.
He became the all-time leading scorer in the FIBA AmeriCup history during the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, where he also won his fourth Most Valuable Player award.
On the live performance side, Saweetie is an American rapper who made a name for herself by rhyming over iconic tracks, giving a nod to those who came before while building her own catalog of fiery hits such as “My Type,” “Tap In” and “Best Friend,” a collaboration with Doja Cat.
Meanwhile, pop superstars Geronimo and Crawford are expected to represent the Filipino side in the international event set to start at 7:30 p.m.
Ranked No. 40 in the world, the Philippines has gained an outright berth in the World Cup by being one of the host nations alongside Japan and Indonesia.
This is going to be the sixth time that the Philippines is playing on the world stage, and its second time as host nation following its hosting in 1978, where it finished in the top eight.
As a FIBA global partner, Smart is going all-out for the World Cup Draw Event as anticipation reaches a new high with all the 32 qualified nations receiving their country assignments during the spectacle.
This year’s much-anticipated FIBA draw will finally announce the matchups and finalize which countries will be playing in the Philippines, giving local basketball fans time to plan which games and basketball greats they wish to see live in action.