Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and son Sandro showed their support for Gilas Pilipinas in its opening game against the Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on Friday, Aug. 25. 

Marcos Jr. was in attendance to watch the opening match of the Nationals in basketball's biggest stage, a familiar scene when his father, former President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., made his presence felt and tossed the ball at the World Cup when the country first hosted the tournament in 1978. 

The President is also no stranger to a FIBA game as he similarly graced Gilas’ match against Saudi Arabia in the fifth window of the tournament last year at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Marcos administration committed to supporting the country’s co-hosting of the biennial meet and has followed through since. 

Marcos Jr. even declared Friday a non-special working holiday in Metro Manila and Bulacan to ease up the congestion in major roads.

The FIBA local organizing committee has previously announced its intention to set the record for most attended FIBA game and beat the 32,616-strong crowd that saw the Shaquille O'Neal-led Team USA come away with a 137-91 win over Russia in 1994 for the World Cup title.