The biggest basketball event of the year is set to tip off exactly a week from now. The Philippines is one of the destinations to watch, along with Japan and Indonesia, when the 2023 FIBA World Cup tips off on August 25.
Let's go all out on this story with members of the FIBA World Cup Local Organizing Committee. Joint management committee head John Lucas and FIBA Local Representative Charlie Cuna joins us live in the studio.
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Let's go all out on this story with members of the FIBA World Cup Local Organizing Committee. Joint management committee head John Lucas and FIBA Local Representative Charlie Cuna joins us live in the studio.
Visit our website for more #NewsYouCanTrust: https://www.cnnphilippines.com/
Follow our social media pages:
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NewsTranscript
00:00 the biggest basketball event of the year is set to tip off exactly a week from now.
00:04 That's August 25th.
00:05 The Philippines is one of the destinations to watch along with Japan and Indonesia
00:10 when the 2023 FIBA World Cup tips off on August 25th.
00:14 Well, let's go all out on this story with the members of the FIBA World Cup
00:19 Local Organizing Committee or LOC na bising-bisi.
00:22 Stress na stress, nangagag, pero mukhang relaxed na sila ngayon.
00:27 The Joint Management Committee or JMC, head John Lucas,
00:30 and FIBA LOC representative Mr. Charlie Cuna, the voice sa PBA.
00:35 Magandang, magandang gabi.
00:36 Good evening.
00:37 Thank you.
00:38 Boss Charles, parinig natin yung boses natin dito.
00:40 Thanks for having us.
00:41 Diyo.
00:42 Di ko magagaya-gaya boses si Charlie kahit as hard as I try.
00:47 Well, thank you again for both being here.
00:49 I know it's traffic.
00:50 It's a Friday and you guys are very, very busy.
00:53 But here you are.
00:55 Okay, let's get to it right away.
00:57 Huwag na natin patagalin para sa ating mga viewers to talk about the preparations for the FIBA World Cup.
01:01 Ms. Erika D. was also supposed to join, but I believe she's at the Philippine Arena in Bukawe, Bulacan.
01:06 But good thing you two are here.
01:09 Okay.
01:10 Malaki 'to.
01:11 Just paint us a picture.
01:12 Who wants to answer first?
01:13 Gano' kalaki 'to?
01:15 Kasi, di ba, minsan lang naman tayong makapag-host.
01:17 Kaya nga, grabe yung pagprepare.
01:20 Sir John, just how big is this?
01:24 Well, this is actually the Olympics of basketball.
01:27 This is the biggest, actually, sports event to be held in the Philippines this year.
01:34 And actually in the world right now.
01:36 So I expect really the top, these are top 32 teams of the world playing for one Naismith trophy.
01:44 So how ready are we?
01:46 No, really, like truthfully.
01:48 I'll give this to Charlie.
01:51 Charlie, how ready is the Philippines?
01:54 Do we have all bases covered?
01:56 I know even as much as we want to try to be perfect, may ma'am, a punting tweaks and that's normal.
02:01 Pero in your opinion, the way you've seen everything, the preparations,
02:05 ganun na ba kahanda ang Pilipinas para sa World Cup?
02:08 We're as ready as we can be.
02:09 You know, at this point in time, lots of things are fluid.
02:11 They're moving pieces day to day.
02:13 Changes, for example, in certain schedules, just timing of everything.
02:17 But if you're talking about how ready we are, we're as ready as we can be.
02:21 We're welcoming already some of the delegates for the World Congress, which starts on Monday.
02:25 We've already welcomed a couple of the teams which came in yesterday.
02:28 And surod-surod na yan.
02:29 The flights are coming in.
02:31 There's like three teams arriving tomorrow.
02:33 And every day starting after that, surod-surod na yan.
02:35 And when everybody's here, you know, the hotels are set, practice venues are there.
02:39 And the three game venues, the Philippine Arena for opening day,
02:43 and then the Arnetta Coliseum and the Mall of Asia Arena for the other games.
02:47 Handang-handa na yung mga teams natin.
02:48 We divided the teams into clusters.
02:50 So we have our people from the LOC assigned to each of these arenas.
02:55 And they're right now, they're there.
02:56 And as you mentioned, that's the Philippine Arena.
02:58 Erica D. is there with a big chunk of the team.
03:01 Some are in Mall of Asia Arena right now.
03:03 So the preparations are ongoing and, you know, progressing as we speak.
03:08 >> Sabi ni Erica, of course, Deputy Director of the event, sabi niya, when she spoke to the media,
03:14 she said the preparations were 95% complete.
03:17 And that's a good sign.
03:19 Siyempre yung 5%, you're going to account for kung ano pa yung kailangan, ganyan.
03:22 And you said dumating na nga kahapon.
03:24 Wala namang glitches, no?
03:25 Sorry, follow-up question.
03:26 Walang glitches sa pagdating ng Ivory Coast and Montenegro, sir?
03:29 >> None.
03:30 No, actually, everything went really well, no, for the arrival of Ivory Coast and Montenegro.
03:36 >> Okay.
03:36 And then yung 5% na kailangan pa, paka talagang 100% na tayong ano kaya yun?
03:41 Ano pa yung kumbaga?
03:42 If there are still any concerns?
03:45 >> Well, right now, the finishing touches of the venue, no, there's the venue dressing.
03:51 Again, this is not like your typical local basketball tournament.
03:56 So dressing it up is now, I think, the part of the 5%.
04:00 >> Yeah, yeah, yeah.
04:00 >> I think even the finishing touches on the court, because as we all know, the flooring,
04:06 the box tops, they're all brought in.
04:08 They're all brought in.
04:09 So they're now laying it down.
04:11 But I guess this was one of the finishing touches.
04:14 And of course, part of us building the media tribune, the players tribune, and everything,
04:20 all the rooms, those are the part of the 5%, no, for the preparation.
04:26 >> Well, Charlie, traffic.
04:28 Yun yung hindi natin, yun talaga, yun talaga yung kumbaga pinaka-concern, diba?
04:33 And then, ang opening pa natin is Filipina Arena.
04:36 You know how packed it is, covering how many PBA games there.
04:40 So alam mo yung mga concerns, issues natin dun sa logistics and traffic.
04:45 So we have two playing venues, of course, three, kasama ngayon, opening Filipina Arena.
04:49 Then you mentioned the big dome, Arena de Coliseum and QC, and then the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
04:54 So in order na rin ni President Bongbong Marcos yung suspension of classes in public school
04:59 and work in government offices sa August 25th, what are the contingency measures in place
05:05 for opening day to make sure na walang hiccups and para makarating ng maayos on time yung teams,
05:13 yung representatives, and at the same time, yung mga manonood din?
05:16 >> We'll talk about the teams first.
05:18 Obviously, from their hotels, they will have police escorts, there are transportation routes
05:24 in place already that they can pass to get there.
05:26 And that should be quick.
05:27 You know, we've timed it, we've done it time and again.
05:30 So kayang-kayang na yun, no?
05:31 >> From their hotels, yun?
05:32 >> From their hotels.
05:33 >> Kano kabilis yun, Charlie?
05:34 >> It depends.
05:35 Well, coming from, I think it's located somewhere in Taguig.
05:40 >> Okay.
05:41 >> Should be, to get to Philippine Arena, I think it's 45 minutes.
05:44 >> Oh, wow.
05:44 That's really fast, ha?
05:45 Forty-five, okay.
05:46 >> Yeah.
05:46 >> Tapos yung for the, ano naman, for the viewers?
05:50 >> For the audience, this is what we're trying to push really now.
05:53 There are 400 buses or shuttles that are going to be provided coming from 12 strategic points all
06:01 over the metro somewhere in Pasay, like at the Ball of Asia Arena.
06:04 Meron tayo sa Trinoma, meron tayo sa Araneta City.
06:07 So we're going to blast this, of course.
06:09 It's actually been blasted already on certain platforms.
06:12 You take your bus ride from there.
06:13 All you need to do is show your ticket.
06:16 You can even sign up prior to that.
06:17 There's a website that you can get into.
06:19 I just don't memorize it right.
06:21 >> It's okay, yeah.
06:21 >> You sign up for that.
06:23 When you get there, you show your ticket.
06:24 They're going to stamp your wrist, and then you take that ride towards the Philippine Arena.
06:28 After the game, the buses will be parked at the North Luzon Express Terminal,
06:32 which is right there in the compound.
06:33 And then you just go there again, show your ticket, show your stamp,
06:36 and then you get back to where you started.
06:38 At least you ride from there.
06:38 That's going to help.
06:40 So we encourage everybody to not have to worry about parking.
06:43 Take the shuttle buses.
06:45 If you need to park, there are parking places, of course,
06:48 parking areas there that are provided.
06:51 Parking A and B is free.
06:54 So if you go early, because the gates will be open by 12 noon on opening day,
06:58 you can take advantage of that.
06:59 The other parking will have minimal fees, of course.
07:02 And then we're going to reroute all the traffic within the Philippine Arena compound just
07:07 to make sure that it flows smoothly before and after the games.
07:12 >> I'll just do it at the same time as you two.
07:13 >> Sure.
07:14 [ Laughter ]
07:16 >> There are also reports, there's a possibility that the games in Japan may be moved here.
07:21 It's monsoon season in Japan, and hopefully,
07:25 they won't experience bad weather.
07:27 But in a way, Slovenia is there, if the games are moved here, will that happen?
07:35 And are we ready for the worst-case scenario?
07:36 If possible, will the teams come here?
07:38 And SBP President Al Panlilio said the Philippines will have a hosting
07:43 like no other for this year's World Cup.
07:46 What will make this year's World Cup extra special?
07:50 All of those questions and more will be answered by John and Charlie in just a bit.
07:54 Our conversation with John Lucas and Charlie Cuna
07:56 of the FIBA World Cup Local Organizing Committee or LOC will continue after this really quick timeout.
08:03 Stay tuned to Sports Test Only here on CNN Philippines where we go all out for the day.
08:06 Top sports stories.
08:07 We'll be right back.
08:07 Stay tuned.
08:09 [ Music ]
08:12 Welcome back to Sports Test Only here on CNN Philippines.
08:14 And as you can see, live inside the studio, our guests tonight,
08:17 members of the FIBA World Cup Local Organizing Committee or LOC Joint Management Committee,
08:22 head John Lucas and of course, LOC representative,
08:25 Nagi Isa, Charlie Cuna, inside the studio this Friday.
08:30 Okay. As I asked earlier, our questions before we went into GAP,
08:35 you reports that there's a possibility that the games in Japan will be held here, here in the Philippines.
08:41 So, are the teams, are we ready for that?
08:44 Just in case, worst-case scenario, if that happens, John?
08:47 Good thing, I had a meeting with Japan, Indonesia this afternoon.
08:51 Okay.
08:51 And the Japanese representative said that the weather is really, really nice in Okinawa now.
08:56 That's good, good news, yeah.
08:56 And at the same time, there's no forecast of any typhoon so far, which is good.
09:02 Now, in the case, in any major sports event, there's always a backup plan.
09:07 So, in the case, as mentioned by our SVP President, Mr. Pandilio,
09:12 there's already a backup plan in case a typhoon hits Okinawa.
09:17 It's really actually playing the games here in Manila.
09:19 And it will be a big adjustment, but I think our team, because we're already set up for the games,
09:25 I think we'll be able to manage that scenario.
09:29 And as I said earlier, Charlie, SVP President, Mr. Al Panlilio,
09:33 said that the Philippines will have a hosting like no other for this year's World Cup.
09:38 So, again, how can we prepare?
09:42 There will be surprises, I'm sure, but what will make this extra special?
09:47 Because we can't be embarrassed with our hosting.
09:50 Well, of course, it's a basketball crazy nation.
09:52 We've been preparing for a year and a half already.
09:54 A lot of the volunteers and the members of the LOC are excited to give the best of what we can give,
10:00 really, for all the fans that are going to be flying in, all the players that are going to be playing.
10:04 We're going to have first-class meals for them.
10:08 We're going to put them in first-class accommodations, for sure.
10:11 And then at the venues, expect a lot of surprises.
10:14 There's going to be, of course, all sorts of entertainment for the audience that's going to be there.
10:20 Lots of freebies that will be given away.
10:22 The technology will be great, lights and sounds.
10:25 Wow.
10:25 Definitely, for sure, there's going to be entertainment, especially in opening day.
10:28 We're going to have some great acts that are going to perform for us.
10:30 But not just there.
10:31 There's going to be others as well.
10:32 Oh, really?
10:33 Straight out.
10:33 Okay.
10:34 And then there's also...
10:35 Not just on opening day.
10:36 Because opening days, Ben & Ben, Sairee Ronimo, The Don, right?
10:40 But on other...
10:41 They will be entertained, for sure.
10:43 Maybe not at that level.
10:44 But there will also...
10:45 But you know how we are here.
10:47 We love showing off the skills.
10:49 There's going to be karaoke in the venues, I heard.
10:52 There's also going to be some dance-offs.
10:54 And then Jip, the mascot for the event, will be there as well to dance with you.
10:57 And then the audience will be there.
10:59 So lots of things to look forward to.
11:02 And of course, what you want to do is deliver a hassle-free...
11:05 Yes, of course.
11:06 ...a pain-free type of event.
11:07 And I think with all the preparation being done, of course,
11:09 we can't guarantee 100% a perfect outing for all of us for the entire 17 days.
11:15 But if you keep that to a minimum, then everybody can just enjoy the top basketball in the world.
11:19 And I'll go back to what I said earlier.
11:21 Any glitches when it comes to Montenegro and the Ivory Coast?
11:24 No, nothing.
11:26 Do you have any feedback?
11:28 Did we give them Filipino food right away?
11:30 No, no.
11:32 I saw them also when they sent us the video.
11:35 I think it was Erika who sent the video,
11:38 because of the bus of Nicola Vucevic of Montenegro and then Ivory Coast.
11:43 Our sports correspondent, Pauline Verzosa, was also there to cover at the airport.
11:47 But how is the feedback coming from the respective teams of Ivory Coast and Montenegro, sir?
11:53 Well, actually, we're getting really good feedback from the teams, right?
11:57 And again, one is the smooth entry in the airport.
12:01 No issues, right?
12:02 And they were actually greeted by our teams, even their trip to their hotels.
12:10 I heard that the feedback we got is from the airport to the hotel in Conrad,
12:16 it took them less than 20 minutes.
12:18 So we did it with all the escorts and the proper coordination with the LGUs.
12:23 So, so far, we're getting good feedback from the teams.
12:28 And we continue because I guess what will be different from this World Cup
12:32 is actually the passion and hospitality of the Filipinos.
12:36 I guess it will be totally different from the past World Cup.
12:40 Well, aside from Montenegro, Ivory Coast will soon go to Indonesia.
12:46 And Mexico, when will Mexico arrive?
12:50 When are the teams that will be playing here?
12:53 Of course, in the Mall of Asia Arena, Team USA, Greece,
12:57 and our opponents, DR, Italy, Angola, when can we expect them to arrive?
13:04 I actually have the schedule with me right now.
13:06 This has been released already to some of the media parties.
13:08 I think August 19, that's tomorrow, Angola is arriving, so we're playing them.
13:12 Mexico, as you mentioned, and Egypt, come the 21st, Dominican Republic will be arriving.
13:17 That's another in our bracket, the Group A.
13:20 And then Greece will arrive on the same day, August 21.
13:23 And then the US team is set to arrive the day after.
13:26 22?
13:27 Everybody's going to be waiting for that.
13:29 And Puerto Rico, Italy, Serbia, and New Zealand, that same day as well.
13:34 Followed by the rest, Lithuania, China, Jordan, and South Sudan.
13:36 South Sudan, Jordan, China, and Lithuania will be the last teams to arrive on the 23rd.
13:42 Maybe you can send that to us.
13:45 The best, Charlie Guna.
13:46 I'll give, well, I wish we had more time, but of course, you guys are also very, very busy.
13:53 But the FIBA attendance record is 32,616.
13:58 That was in 1994, actually, at the FIBA World Championship in Toronto, in Canada.
14:04 We have the Filipina Arena, and we have GILAS taking on the Dominican Republic on opening day.
14:09 Both teams, of course, have NBA stars.
14:11 We have Jordan Clarkson, they have Carl Anthony Towns, and GILAS, right?
14:15 Charlie said that, "We're a basketball crazy country."
14:18 Everybody wants to go to the Filipina Arena to watch.
14:22 How possible is it that we will break that attendance record of 32,616?
14:27 Is that even possible?
14:28 Because, Charlie, I'm sure you remember, you've commentated also in the Bay Area, in Ebra, right?
14:32 A lot of people are watching, even when I was in Ebra, they asked, "Can we do that, Sir John?"
14:36 And, how will the country benefit from this?
14:41 I'll give the last, "How will the country benefit?" to Charlie.
14:44 You go first, Sir John.
14:45 Well, right now, we have ready.
14:50 So, right now, the capacity that we're looking at for the Filipina Arena is around, I know it's 50,000,
14:55 but with all this equipment, the cameras, we are now looking at 45,000.
15:02 Okay.
15:02 Between 45,000 to 50,000.
15:03 That's the max, right?
15:05 And, I feel like right now, we can really beat it.
15:09 Because right now, we're already sold around 30,000 tickets.
15:12 Oh, wow. Okay.
15:12 And, the tickets are not only for one game, but for two games, Italy-Angola and GILAS versus Dominican Republic.
15:19 And then, those number of tickets don't include the orders.
15:23 So, I can imagine that, you know, I'm expecting that we will beat that record.
15:28 We can do that?
15:28 Yes, we can.
15:30 Charlie, okay, last question.
15:31 What else do you want to tell all the Filipino basketball crazy fans that are excited for the World Cup to watch GILAS?
15:38 Go ahead.
15:39 Well, we invite everyone to please come over to watch and support our national team.
15:42 Of course, we're very basketball crazy.
15:44 We love the sport.
15:46 This is the best of the best.
15:47 The entire tournament, all the creative teams from all over the world are going to be here.
15:51 This is our chance.
15:52 You know, we love basketball.
15:53 We want to watch the best.
15:56 But, we also want to showcase how great of a host nation we're going to be.
16:00 So, go there and enjoy.
16:01 Show the fans, show the other nation's fans how passionate we are.
16:05 Show the players how much we support all of them.
16:07 And, you know, we hope that you encourage all of your fans.
16:10 It's time to get your tickets now because it's just a week to go.
16:12 And, we have a lot of things to show here.
16:15 Prestige of tournament.
16:16 And, let's make it the best.
16:17 You know, make it a hosting of the entire nation.
16:20 Not just LOC, not just SBP, not just Andre.
16:23 You know, we can all help here to show the whole world that Filipinos can do it.
16:28 And, with that, we will end with what Charlie said.
16:32 Thank you very much.
16:33 Long live to you.
16:33 Sir John, thank you so much.
16:35 Boss, thank you.
16:36 Thank you, Charlie.
16:36 Thank you.
16:37 Thank you very much.
16:37 Again, we just spoke to members of the FIBA World Cup.
16:40 Local organizing committee or LOC.
16:42 Joint management committee or JMC head, John Lucas.
16:46 And, LOC representative, Mr. Charlie Cuneta.
16:48 Thank you so much.
16:49 The best of luck to us when we host the FIBA World Cup starting next Friday, August 25th.