US, Greece, Lithuania to wow fans at MOA

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino fans and spectators from around the world will be in for a treat beyond just rallying behind the Gilas Pilipinas at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City as more protagonists, headlined by Team USA, are to make some noise over at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

The Philippines, co-hosts with Japan and Indonesia, has 16 of the 32 teams playing in two venues for the group phase, and the MOA Arena will be a hotspot featuring four of the Top 20 ranked teams duking it out in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 slated Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.

From a bevy of distinguished NBA coaches to players, MOA Arena – which will also host the final phase including the championship – boasts it all with a stacked cast in Group C (USA, Jordan, New Zealand and Greece) and Group D (Montenegro, Mexico, Egypt and Lithuania).

Team USA, world No. 2 and reigning Olympic gold medalist which was personally chosen by the Philippines to play here, is parading a young squad without the usual star senior players but will be under the tutelage of NBA champion coaches Steve Kerr from the Golden State Warriors and Filipino-American pride Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat.

Former Philippine national team member Chip Engelland, who is an assistant coach now, is also part of the USA delegation, which will star reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis) and Rookie of the Year Paolo Banchero (Orlando).

All-Star players Brandon Ingram (New Orleans) and Anthony Edwards (Minnesota) with fan favorite Austin Reaves of the Los Angeles Lakers are also in the fray for Team USA installed as still the team to beat in the World Cup.

New York’s Jalen Brunson, Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton, and Brooklyn’s Mikal Bridges, who are considered franchise players of their squads, with Josh Hart (NYK), Bobby Portis (Milwaukee), Cam Johnson (Brooklyn) and Jordan Clarkson’s teammate Walker Kessler of Utah completing the squad.