The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 has drawn to a close, with Europe emerging as the new powerhouse in this highly anticipated sports spectacle, captivating an audience of over 12,000 fans. Gatorade, the world’s leading sports drink, extends its congratulations to Germany for its remarkable performance, culminating in an impressive 83-77 victory over Serbia in the finals.
As the official sports drink of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, Gatorade joined forces with FIBA to bring this monumental basketball event to life. For the first time in history, the tournament was hosted in three countries, setting several milestones along the way. Notably, the game held at the Philippine Arena on August 25 witnessed a record-breaking attendance of 38,115, surpassing the previous record set in 1994 when Team USA clinched gold with 32,616 spectators in attendance.
Manila co-hosted the event alongside Okinawa and Jakarta, where the latter recorded a historic attendance figure during the group stage matches. The newly constructed Indonesia Arena Stadium welcomed a total of 111,000 spectators from August 25 to September 3, setting a new benchmark for basketball in Indonesia, as highlighted by Indonesian State-Owned Enterprise Minister Erick Thohir.
For passionate Filipino basketball fans, basketball is more than just a sport; it’s a way of life. Gatorade played a significant role both on and off the court, connecting fans with the action through halftime segments like the 3-Point Shootout and the Gatorade No Sugar Fit-O-Meter. Outside the arena, Gatorade surprised fans queuing for snacks with interactive experiences, including a Gatorade shooting game and a Gatorade No Sugar bike challenge. For those unable to attend the games in person, Gatorade collaborated with supermarkets, offering fans sports bottles and ticket raffles.
This created an unforgettable basketball experience in the Philippines, uniting fans and supporters from around the world on home turf. Filipino fans warmly embraced all the teams that reached the quarterfinals and classification stage matches, showcasing their immense love for the game, which was played with passion by all teams.
Team USA, featuring an all-star NBA roster and renowned coaches Steve Kerr and Erik Spoelstra, was a highlight for fans. Notable players like Austin Reaves and Anthony Edwards dazzled the crowd. NBA stars representing their home countries, such as Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, were eagerly anticipated. However, it was the German and Serbian players who dominated the courts, leading to an electrifying European showdown.
Luka Doncic, the standout player of the Dallas Mavericks, expressed his appreciation for the overwhelming support from Filipino fans, even after his team’s loss to Canada in the quarterfinals. The passionate Pinoy fans also rallied behind other teams, including Canada led by Dillon Brooks, Serbia featuring Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Germany with Dennis Schroder as their spearhead. Throughout these memorable moments, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 showcased world-class performance and sportsmanship, all fueled by Gatorade, the world’s number one sports drink.
