Luka Doncic and his Slovenian team have started training at the SM Mall of Asia Arena for the Final Phase of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 on Monday evening.
The quarterfinal round, classification, semifinals, and final will run until Sunday, September 10.
In anticipation of the arrival of Doncic and the rest of the World Cup players from the Group Phase action at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Okinawa Arena in Japan, and Indonesia Arena in Jakarta, the SM Mall of Asia Arena is rolling out a virtual red carpet to welcome the eight teams that have made it to the playoffs of the global showpiece.
Already housed at the state-of-the-art facility during the preliminaries and now safely into the quarters is the USA and its star-studded coaching staff, as well as Lithuania, led by New Orleans Pelicans big Jonas Valanciunas.
Joining the Americans and Lithuanians in the playoffs are Serbia and Italy from the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Doncic, the superstar guard of the Dallas Mavericks, will backstop Slovenia against co-Group K leader Germany and its multiple NBA players, led by Toronto Raptors playmaker Dennis Schroder and the Wagner brothers Mo and Franz when they clash to break a 4-0 deadlock at the end of the group stage.
Kristaps Porzingis-less Latvia and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander-led Canada also arrived on Monday.
Mark Solano, the SM Mall of Asia Arena venue head from the FIBA Local Organizing Committee, said that while no additional physical structure has been constructed, entertainment numbers to enhance the game experience are in the plans.
“Mas makakaganda ‘pag dating ng playoffs at sa final, may mga show na naka-set up,” said Solano. “MOA Arena is prepared and ready to house the Final Phase.”
Even the comfort of long-legged FIBA ambassadors, such as former NBA players Luis Scola and Carmelo Anthony, and even Dirk Nowitzki, chairman of the FIBA Players’ Commission and FIBA Central Board member, has been considered.
“May pinakalas si FIBA sa’min na mga upuan tapos pinalagyan ng platform para sa ginhawa ng mga VIPs, para sa legs nila kasi mahahaba sila e,” Solano said.
The assistance provided by two longtime former employees of the modern venue also known as the country’s entertainment and sports Mecca, venue manager Ron Dawa and venue lead coordinator Billy Beroy, has been immeasurable as well, said Solano.
Except for unending rains, Solano said everything else is in place for the expected influx of spectators with the arrival of Doncic and company on Tuesday.
“Nakahanda po tayo from the start, from the venue to the security and the traffic flow, MOA Arena is prepared to the hilt for the Final Phase of the World Cup,” he said.
