ALL eyes will be on Gilas Pilipinas when it plays its Group A games in the 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup at the Philippine Arena against Dominican Republic (August 25) and at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum against Angola (August 27) and Italy (29).
But Filipino fans can also mark their calendars for other games that have the recipe for a must-watch: featuring NBA talent and with the teams evenly matched.
There was hesitation putting Team USA on this list as the Americans' team of NBA players are expected to coast through their Group C games against Greece, New Zealand, and Jordan. But who knows?
Here are some of the games to watch in 2023 Fiba Basketball World Cup group stage outside the Philippine team’s matches:
France vs Canada
The two countries that have the most NBA talent outside Team USA are set to ignite the World Cup group stage hostilities as they face off on opening day on August 25 at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta.
Tipoff is at 8:30 p.m., Manila time in a Group H matchup where it’s interesting to see how the backcourt-loaded Canadians led by Jamal Murray and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander can unlock the defense of the French with Rudy Gobert standing as the last line.
Australia vs Germany
The Boomers get an early gauge of their title aspirations as they face the Germans on August 27 at the Okinawa Arena in Japan
Among their Group E opponents, the world No. 11 Germans are the highest-ranked foe of the third-ranked Australians as they take on each other at 5:30 p.m., Manila time.
Guard play will be the highlight of this game as Josh Giddey orchestrates Australia’s offense against Germany’s Dennis Schroder, who will have help in the wings in Franz Wagner.
New Zealand vs Jordan
This will be a game to watch if Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is confirmed to reinforce Jordan as its naturalized player.
Ranked 33rd in the world, the Jordanians could be a tougher matchup for the 26th-ranked Kiwis in their August 28 face-off at the Mall of Asia Arena if the former NBA forward Hollis-Jefferson plays.
The Kiwis, though, remain fancied in their Group C face-off that tips off at 4:45 p.m., Manila time as they bank on Isaac Fotu, who averaged 18.4 points in the 2019 World Cup, against the Dar Tucker-led Jordanians.
Australia vs Japan
The Boomers may be heavily favored over the Japanese in their August 29 matchup at the Okinawa Arena, especially if Rui Hachimura is confirmed to skip the World Cup to focus on the upcoming NBA season with the Los Angeles Lakers.
But don’t count out the 36th-ranked Japan as it plays in front of the home crowd in the Group contest that tips off at 8:10 p.m., Manila time.
Yuta Watanabe is expected to play a major role in the potential absence of Hachimura.
Germany vs Finland
The gap between Germany, ranked 11th in the world, and Finland (No. 24) is closer than it seems.
The Germans may look deeper on paper with a few more NBA players, but don’t discount a Finland side with its own NBA star in their August 29 matchup at the Okinawa Arena.
Lauri Markkanen looks like he loves playing for Finland and can carry his country on his back, evidenced by his averages in the European qualifiers where he put up 21.8 points, two treys, nine rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.8 assists in four games.
Don’t miss this Group E game that tips off at 4:30 p.m., Manila time.
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