Argentinian basketball legend Luis Scola is scheduled to be the main attraction at the FIBA Basketball World Cup Draw 2023, taking place on Saturday, April 29, at the Smart Araneta Center in Cubao, Quezon City.
The FIBA ambassador who won multiple medals as a member of the Argentina national men’s basketball team, will preside over the draw of lots that will determine the groupings of participating countries.
Scola played for Argentina’s national squad from 2001 until 2019, winning two silver medals at the FIBA World Championships, one each in 2002 and during his final tournament in 2019 at the age of 39.
During the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship tournament, Scola became the all-time leading scorer in FIBA AmeriCup history and won his fourth tournament MVP.
Aside from Scola, also gracing the much-anticipated draw of lots were American rapper Saweetie, Sarah Geronimo, and Billy Crawford.
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.
Geronimo and Crawford are expected to represent the Filipino side at the international event happening on Saturday at 7:30 at the Big Dome.
Ranked #40 in the world, the Philippines has gained an outright berth in the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup Games by being one of the host nations alongside Japan and Indonesia.
This is the sixth time that the Philippines is playing on the world stage and its second time as a host nation, following its hosting in 1978, where it finished in the top eight.
Smart, FIBA’s global partner, is going all-out for the FIBAWC 2023 Draw Event as anticipation reaches a new high with all 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 Pinoy basketball fans time to plan which games and basketball greats they wish to see live in action.
Coinciding with the FIBA draw at Araneta, basketball fans can also join the all-day festival party, “FIBA in Manila,” at the BGC Uptown area, corner of 9th Avenue and 36th Street in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), from 10 a.m. onwards, also on April 29.
Popular Pinoy band Ben&Ben will be performing at the “FIBA in Manila” event, which will be streamed live via Smart’s official Facebook page at 2 p.m. (AC)
