FIBA WORLD CUP TROPHY GOES TO ILOCOS NORTE

August 26, 2023 Provincial

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte

Ilokano fans are in for a treat as the prestigious Naismith Trophy for the FIBA World Cup 2023 is in Ilocos Norte on August 23. This solid gold trophy is named after basketball inventor James Naismith and will be awarded to the winner in the upcoming World Cup with the Philippines as the host this year. Since last week, the trophy has been going around the country and Ilocos Norte is its
last stop.

On August 21, Filipino basketball idol and GILAS ambassador Arwind Santos also arrived in Ilocos Norte as the Naismith trophy will be touring around the key tourist destinations of Ilocos Norte for
a video shoot. The trophy was first displayed at the Provincial Capitol and will be going to the
Burgos wind farm, Kapurpurawan Rock Formation, and Suba sand dunes.

On August 23, it will be displayed and can be viewed by the public at the activity center of the Robinsons Place Ilocos in San Nicolas town. “We are deeply honored here in Ilocos Norte to host the FIBA Trophy Tour. They have already toured this in Mindanao, in Davao, and Cebu City in Visayas. In Luzon, here in Ilocos Norte before it goes back to Metro Manila where the actual games will be held,” said Perry Martinez, head of the Metro Ilocos Norte Council.

Meanwhile, Arwind Santos thanked the support of the provincial government in hosting the trophy tour. “Inikot po natin sa Luzon, Visayas, at Mindanao ang minimithi po ng lahat ng team dito sa FIBA World Cup kaya wag po natin kalimutan na suportahan ang ating mga pambato dito sa Gilas Pilipinas,” said Santos. The first day of the FIBA World Cup will feature the game between Gilas Pilipinas and Dominican Republic at the Philippine Arena.

(JCR/MJTAB/PIA Ilocos Norte)