MANILA, Philippines – After years of high anticipation, the 2023 FIBA World Cup finally kicks off on Friday, August 25, with simultaneous games across three nations: the Philippines, Japan, and Indonesia.

As the main host, the Philippines unveils the quadrennial showpiece with a bang, holding the opening ceremony and double-header at the sprawling 50,000-plus seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, while the final phase venue Mall of Asia Arena also gets going with its own two-game slate.

Gilas Pilipinas bowed to Dominican Republic, 87-81, in its World Cup opener before a record crowd at the Philippine Arena on Friday, August 25.

Check out the results of all the #FIBAWC Day 1 games here: https://t.co/Y8j8SIMtIV pic.twitter.com/XxMBSX3G5B

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 26, 2023

PHILIPPINE ARENA

Angola vs Italy

Italy started off the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines with an 81-67 late breakaway over Angola.

Utah Jazz forward Simone Fontecchio led the way with 19 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, while Childe Dundao also scored 19 in the losing effort.

FIBA | FINAL:

Italy breaks away late to take a World Cup opening win over Angola, 81-67.#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/SSaID1rRop

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | JUST IN:

Attendance at the Philippine Arena for the Angola-Italy opening match: 21,214.#FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | END OF 3Q:

Italy still unable to break away from Angola, 61-57.#FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

CALM BEFORE THE STORM.

Members of Gilas Pilipinas watch the Italy-Angola contest, which is currently headed towards the end of the third quarter. #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/Sx4lLk0PhA

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

#FIBAWC global ambassador Dirk Nowitzki meets San Miguel Corp. chief Ramon Ang pic.twitter.com/ZyOFkmIfTX

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | HALFTIME:

Italy continues to hold back Angola, 43-40.#FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | END OF 1Q:

Italy brushes off Angola's strong start for a 23-17 lead.#FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

LOOK: Basketball legend Dirk Nowitzki here at the Philippine Arena. #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/FXuzSoAuW8

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

First game about to start here at the Philippine Arena. 4 p.m. tipoff. #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/pYWIPXLKzA

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

Situation inside the Philippine Arena about 30 minutes before tipoff.

People are advised to come early to avoid inconvenience in entering the venue. #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/Zygbwufb5P

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

Preview

African powerhouse Angola begins its World Cup campaign on a difficult note, tussling with world No. 10 Italy at 4 pm before the 6 pm opening ceremony.

NBA center Bruno Fernando will have his hands full as the expected go-to guy for the 41st-ranked Angolans, while Italy will have a bevy of elite, NBA-level options like Simone Fontecchio, Nicolo Melli, and Luigi Datome.

Philippines vs Dominican Republic

Gilas Pilipinas kicks off its hosting duties with a must-see matchup at 8 pm against the loaded Dominican Republic, led by NBA star center Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lester Quiñones of the Golden State Warriors, and former LA Clippers prospect Angel Delgado.

Against the world No. 23 Dominicans, 40th-ranked Philippines seeks to find other reliable matchup options aside from Utah Jazz leader Jordan Clarkson for a shot at an upset. PBA MVPs Scottie Thompson and June Mar Fajardo are among those expected to lead the supporting cast.

MALL OF ASIA ARENA

Mexico vs Montenegro

Montenegro easily took care of business, dispatching Mexico, 91-71, at the start of Group D action.

NBA player Nikola Vucevic dropped a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds to power world No. 18 Montenegro, while Kendrick Perry added 16 points and 7 assists.

Pako Cruz paced Mexico with 16 points.

“I’m glad I was able to sign a new contract with Chicago early on and be able to come here,” says Nikola Vucevic after leading Montenegro to a dominant 91-71 win over Mexico.

“For me, it’s a good experience because the NBA game and the FIBA game are so different,” he adds. pic.twitter.com/2eW8KZykRT

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

Vucevic sizzled for a game-high 27 points on an efficient 11-of-15 shooting, including a perfect 3-of-3 clip from three-point land. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | FINAL:

Montenegro opens Group D action at the Mall of Asia Arena with a dominant 91-71 win over Mexico.

Chicago Bulls star center Nikola Vucevic finishes with a double-double of 27 points and 10 rebounds for Montenegro.

📸 FIBA#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/ZkGkkVjjur

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | END OF 3Q:

Montenegro holds a double-digit advantage over Mexico after three quarters, 68-58. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | HALFTIME:

Montenegro catches fire late in the second quarter for a 48-39 lead over Mexico.

Nikola Vucevic still leads all scorers with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting for Montenegro. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | END OF 1Q:

Montenegro and Mexico figure in an exciting 19-all deadlock.

Nikola Vucevic already in double-digits for Montenegro with 10 points. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

LOOK: Some members of the La Salle Green Archers are here at the Mall of Asia Arena to catch Montenegro versus Mexico. #FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/w4WLfiQTyP

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

Montenegro, led by Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic, recently defeated Gilas Pilipinas in a tune-up game, 102-87. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

LOOK: Situation inside the Mall of Asia Arena before Group D action between Montenegro and Mexico kicks off at 4:45 pm.

In the second game at 8:30 pm, Lithuania will go up against Egypt. #FIBAWC | via @martin19mendoza pic.twitter.com/LnPyUPPVxc

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

Preview

As the noise of the World Cup opening festivities blare on at the Philippine Arena, world No. 18 Montenegro and No. 31 Mexico focus on handling their business over at the Mall of Asia Arena, starting at 4:45 pm.

As underdog Mexico takes a by-committee approach with the likes of Paul Stoll and Pako Cruz, Montenegro will likely course its game plans through its lone NBA-level talent Nikola Vucevic of the Chicago Bulls, with naturalized guard Kendrick Perry taking some burdens off his back.

Egypt vs Lithuania

FIBA | FINAL:

Lithuania wraps up day one of FIBA World Cup action here at the Mall of Asia Arena with a convincing 93-67 win over Egypt.

NBA center Jonas Valanciunas posts a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds for Lithuania.

📸 FIBA#FIBAWC pic.twitter.com/ac0tW4qPoq

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | END OF 3Q:

Lithuania pulls away from Egypt with a 70-53 lead. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | HALFTIME:

Lithuania keeps a double-digit edge over Egypt here at the Mall of Asia Arena, 46-34. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

FIBA | END OF 1Q:

Bannered by New Orleans Pelicans center Jonas Valanciunas, Lithuania gets off to a blazing start against Egypt, 26-12.

Valanciunas already has 11 points for Lithuania. #FIBAWC

— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) August 25, 2023

Preview

In perhaps the most lopsided matchup in the Philippines’ opening-day slate, world No. 55 Egypt looks to pull off an early stunner against No. 8 Lithuania at 8:30 pm.

Former Turkish League MVP Assem Marei will definitely have his hands full for Egypt alongside the likes of Al Ahly club star Ehab Amin, as they try to hold down Lithuania’s NBA-caliber core of Jonas Valanciunas, Donatas Motiejunas, Mindaugas Kuzminskas, and Ignas Brazdeikis.

OTHER RESULTS

Okinawa (Group E)

Australia def. Finland, 98-72 (Patty Mills – 25 points, Josh Giddey – 14 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, Lauri Markkanen — 19 points, 8 rebounds)

Germany def. Japan, 81-63 (Mo Wagner — 25 points, 9 rebounds, Dennis Schroder — 14 points, 5 rebounds

Jakarta (Group H)

Latvia def. Lebanon, 109-70 (Dairis Bertans — 20 points on 7/8 FG shooting)

Canada def. France, 95-65 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 27 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, Kelly Olynyk – 18 points)

– Rappler.com