Pop star Sarah Geronimo and local folk-pop band Ben&Ben along with The Dawn are set to perform in the opening day of the 2023 FIBA World Cup at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan on Friday, Aug. 25. 

The performances will take place just right after the 4 p.m. match between Italy and Angola and before Gilas Pilipinas takes on the Dominican Republican at 8 p.m.

The FIBA local organizing committee has went all out and is looking to set the record for most attended game in the tournament’s history which is why Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. declared the opening ceremonies a non-special working holiday in Metro Manila and Bulacan. 

It’s been 45 years since the prestigious basketball showpiece was brought here for the first time and the Filipinos couldn’t have been more excited for its homecoming. 

It will also serve as Geronimo’s second time being involved with FIBA as she previously took centerstage in the draw ceremony last April at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Ben&Ben was also part of the World Cup Draw Festival at Uptown BGC in Taguig City. 

Aside from the Dominicans, the Jordan Clarkson-led Filipinos also got tangled with Angola and Italy in Group A and will be playing the rest of the group phase at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. 

Group B, though, made up of China, Puerto Rico, Serbia and South Sudan will begin the hospitalities at the Smart Araneta Coliseum outside of the opening day.   

On the other hand, Fil-Am Erik Spoelstra, who will make his international coaching debut as assistant to head coach Steve Kerr’s Team USA, will join the squad at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City after being drawn in Group C against New Zealand, Greece and Jordan while Lithuania, Mexico and Montenegro landed in Group D for the same venue.