PBBM invited to grace FIBA World Cup opening says John Lucas

Forty-five years after his father's appearance, President Bongbong Marcos is set to grace the 2023 FIBA World Cup opening. Dennis Acosta (file photo)
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--President Bongbong Marcos might make a special appearance on the opening night of the FIBA World Cup Philippine leg.

FIBA World Cup joint management committee head John Lucas revealed on Wednesday that an invitation has been given to the chief executive to be in the tournament opener on Aug. 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue.

"He accepted actually the invitation, so we can say that he will be the one to handle the ceremonial ball toss in the Gilas-Dominican Republic game," Lucas said during a press conference following the FIBA World Cup Inter-Agency Task Force meeting at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Once he makes an appearance, it would be the second time Marcos is attending a Gilas game since he won last year's presidential elections.

Marcos drew a loud round of applause and cheers at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay when he watched Gilas' World Cup Qualifiers fourth window game against Saudi Arabia last August.

Marcos' appearance could also be a full circle moment for his family as his father, Ferdinand Sr., was also in appearance during the opening of the last FIBA World Cup hosted by the Philippines prior to this year in 1978 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

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