The FIBA World Cup this year, co-hosted by the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia, delivered upon expectations, provided a solid experience for the players, and engaged the fans on a new level, as reported by FIBA Secretary General Andreas Zagklis. It was the first time that the World Cup, expanded to 32 squads, was hosted by three countries.
"We want to thank from the bottom of our hearts the three LOCs [local organizing committees] and their respective governments—Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia—the national federations that took this tremendous responsibility to run the FIBA flagship event. They have delivered with flying colors," Zagklis declared.
Here's what the tri-country hosting has achieved for FIBA.
Record numbers for viewership, attendance
On the first day of the FIBA World Cup, the Philippine Arena drew 38,115 spectators to witness Gilas Pilipinas take on Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic.
On the whole, attendance is expected to break the 700,000 mark with Okinawa averaging 85% occupancy and games in Jakarta being more than 60% filled, Zagklis said in a press conference on the final day of the tournament.
The Japan versus Cape Verde game, which led to the Akatsuki Five's direct berth to the 2024 Paris Olympics, was the most-watched program for the co-host this year.
Significant viewership numbers were also registered for the Slovenia vs Canada quarterfinals at 40% market share, the South Sudan vs Puerto Rico opener for Group B at almost 35% market share, and the Lithuania vs Serbia quarterfinals at over 25% market share.
Social media engagement doubled
The FIBA World Cup generated over 10 billion impressions until the penultimate day of action, double the amount from the 2019 tournament, Zagklis reported. Engagement has also doubled at 260 million, while the video views have also tripled. FIBA's social media accounts also added two million followers.
"The images are what inspire the people and what makes the next generation want to grab a ball," Zagklis noted.
"Our players are happy"
Despite having three countries host the tournament, with the Mall of Asia Arena as the venue for the final phase, players have noted having only having one to zero transfers, which account greatly for rest.
There were also minimal back-to-back games—except for those who lost first round games and in the quarterfinals. They had to immediately play the classification matches the next day
Oh, and players got to experience having single rooms for the first time during the tournament too. They also had dedicated player lounges and amenities ranging from a bar to a barbershop in every hotel.
Players Commission chairman and basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki had visited the hotels to provide FIBA feedback for any adjustments.
"Players who have played three, four, five World Cups said they have never experienced such conditions before," Zagklis said. "We are very happy when our players are happy."
Something to fight for at every level
The FIBA Secretary General also lauded the creation of the competition format, as squads were competing for something at every level.
Even those who were eliminated and were at the classification phase still fought hard, with Olympic spots and Olympic Qualifying Tournament (OQT) tickets were up for grabs.
South Sudan, for example, managed to get the final African direct berth to the Olympics on their final day of competition. The host Philippines and the local crowd went all out as Gilas Pilipinas beat China for an OQT spot during their last game.
"I don't think any other World Championship or World Cup in any other sport has at this late stage of the classification games so much interest and so much meaningful games," Zagklis noted.
No prize money, but plenty of assistance
There's no pot to fight for in the FIBA World Cup. It's only the Naismith Trophy, national pride, and boasting rights for the winner to declare they are world champions. Instead, Zagklis explained how FIBA is covering federations' expenses to the tune of 50,000 Swiss francs each or 3.1 million in Philippine peso. The top 16 got an additional 100,000 francs (over P6.2 million) to aid in their expenses going to Manila.
Impact on the PBA
The rise of debutant countries South Sudan and Latvia, along with the dominance of the European style of play, showed what was needed for other nations, as federation officials spoke to Zagklis.
"We understand better what we need to do to improve," the secretary general recounted what officials told him, as more fans were exposed to international play.
"That was, in my personal opinion, the secret behind the rise of Europe."
He also noted how hosting the FIBA World Cup in China, Japan, Indonesia, and in the Philippines in recent memory would also help improve the quality of play.
"We have mobilized so many more people to play basketball in this part of the world," Zagklis noted. "I see how the PBA here is talking to us and we're exchanging. They have learned from this event and we learned a lot from them."
"I really think we will see an upgraded PBA product in the next years in the Philippines."
What delegates say about Manila's hosting
"Manila has been an excellent host. I don't think it's easy to find anywhere else in the world this level of service--always with a smile, always with kindness, always with a solution-oriented approach. I can only express how grateful FIBA is to the Philippines," Zagklis said.
"The organization was really excellent, maximum level. I think they did very well," Angola coach Josep Claros said in their last game against South Sudan.
"I really enjoyed this time in the Philippines, we had amazing support. Thanks to the fans who make us feel like we played at home. I know that it's mostly because of Luka [Doncic] but we take advantage of this," admitted Slovenia coach Aleksander Sekulic in taking seventh place against Italy.
"People in Manila are welcoming, humble, food is good. People are always looking for you and helping you, it is great," noted Brian Diaz, photographer for Puerto Ricos' Fotografia Deportiva.
"You are super kind, friendly. Sometimes I feel like at home here," added UCU Web's Kevin Chareun, journalist for Argentina.
"It means a lot to be respected. Something I feel I don’t get much back home," Karl-Anthony Towns said after the crowd cheered when he was subbed out of the Dominican Republic's last game against Serbia. "It was moving. I feel respected. It meant a lot, something I don’t get much of."
"It's one of the many incredibly kind gestures I received this summer," Italy's Luigi Datome said of the applause he received in his final game with the Azzurri. "I feel really lucky, humble, grateful, blessed. I felt them all."
"Thank you for hosting. It's unbelievable. I'm gonna remember this place forever in my life," added Germany's Johannes Thiemann, world champion.
(GM)