WORLD Cup fever is truly on as the 2023 showpiece tips off in just two days’ time.
See How to score tickets for Fiba World Cup games in Manila
For hoops fans unable to watch the games in the three local game venues, a series of watch parties will get the Gilas rush up and running wherever you are in the country.
From the tournament opener to the highly anticipated final, here are some watch parties slated for the duration of the World Cup.
Robinsons Malls (select branches nationwide)
30 Robinsons Malls all over the country in which Filipino fans can watch Gilas' group phase matches against Dominican Republic (Aug. 25), Angola (Aug. 27), and Italy (Aug. 29).
There will be 12 participating branches in Luzon, four in Metro Manila, nine in Visayas, and five in Mindanao.
Admission to the Robinsons Malls' watch parties is free to the public in the aforementioned locations.
SM Supermalls (select branches nationwide)
Moreover, 32 SM malls will also open its doors for World Cup watch parties during Gilas' group phase matches.
These include 13 branches in Luzon, 10 in Metro Manila, five in Visayas, and four in Mindanao.
It will then resume for the semifinals, bronze medal game, and final on Sep. 8 and 10.
McKinley West Whisky Park (Taguig)
For fans in the south, Asia’s first and biggest outdoor liquor park will host World Cup watch parties for the entire duration of the tournament.
In its official Facebook page, fans are invited for a chill viewing experience alongside the park's vast offering of drinks and snacks.
The first of the Whisky Park’s watch parties kick off on Aug. 25 at 6 p.m. for the opening ceremony and Gilas’ first match against Dominican Republic.
Newport World Resorts (Pasay)
Formerly known as Resorts World Manila, World Cup watch parties all-tournament long will also be hosted at the Newport World Resorts in Pasay City.
Five locations within the venue’s vicinity were identified as watch party sites.
These include El Calle (Newport Mall), Port Bar (Hilton), The Lounge (Sheraton), The Greatroom (Marriott), and The Greatroom (Holiday Inn Express).
The watch parties will run from 4 p.m. onwards during the tournament.
Valle Verde Country Club (Pasig)
Situated just a stone's throw away from the PhilSports Arena, Valle Verde Country Club will also be home to some World Cup watch parties in the coming weeks.
Its first watch party will feature an opening day triple header from 4 p.m. onwards at the Lanai Restaurant.
Among its featured World Cup games are the Manila-based matchups between Angola and Italy in Group A and Mexico and Montenegro in Group D.
Gilas' opening salvo against Dominican Republic will also air live for party-goers on Aug. 25.
Okada Manila (Parañaque)
To finish off World Cup festivities, the Cove Manila Night Club in Okada will be the home of an exclusive World Cup final watch party.
Ticket prices range from P5,000 to P10,000 and can accommodate a range of five to ten people per table, depending on the selected group package.
Also offered in the watch party are live entertainment from guest DJ Cammy V, bar grub and specialty drinks, and basketball mini-games.
May it be from the game venues, the comfort of your homes, or at a watch party, this once-in-a-lifetime home World Cup for Filipino hoops fans will surely be one to remember.
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