PH, Indonesia, Japan to succeed China as FIBA WC co-hosts as #PlayLouderIn2023 bid successful

By 2023, the Philippine Arena will be flocked with more than 50,000 people watching the FIBA World Cup. Dennis Acosta (file photo) 

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Let's get louder in 2023.

The Asian consortium of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan gets the privilege of becoming the first set of nations to jointly host the FIBA World Cup.

The Asian bid bested the South American bid of Argentina and Uruguay as announced during the FIBA Central Board meeting in Mies, Switzerland on Saturday night.

This will be the second time both the Philippines and Japan will host the FIBA World Cup with the latter getting its first taste of hosting the tournament more recently, 2006 to be precise.

Indonesia, meanwhile, hit the jackpot as it finally gets to host the FIBA World Cup for the first time.

However, the biggest winner here is the Philippines, the lead nation in the co-hosting bid, which finally got the hosting right after losing its solo hosting bid for the 2019 edition to China.

[Related Story: China edges Philippines for FIBA World Cup hosting]

The Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, PhilSports Arena in Pasig, the Istora Senayan in Jakarta, and the Okinawa Arena in Okinawa will be the venues for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.

In the process, for being the co-host nations, Gilas Pilipinas, Indonesia, and Japan are assured of automatic spots in the 32-team pool for the main tournament.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno