![Photo shows Al Panlilio, PLDT CEO, Kaz Nishihata, NTT Data CEO and Jane Basas, MediaQuest CEO [PR photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/PEARL-400x200.jpeg)
PLDT Inc., Smart, MediaQuest Holdings, Cignal TV, and NTT DATA today announced their collaboration to offer a new experience for basketball fans from the Philippines and overseas who will watch the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 onsite in Manila: the unveiling of Pearl, the country’s first “Digital Human”.
FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 global partner Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) is giving subscribers more ways to own a piece of sports history as it launches an exclusive digital collectible, Shinys, its version of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) up for grabs at tournament venues.
All eyes will be on the Philippines when the country co-hosts the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 starting August 25, 2023 and Pilipinas Live is all set to deliver every second of the action, commercial-free.
FIBA global partner Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) will offer FREE access to every FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 game on the Smart LiveStream App from Aug. 25 to Sept. 10.
![Farm Fresh-Letran returned to the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center on Saturday morning. [PR photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Pampanga-Gov.-Dennis-Pineda-along-with-Farm-Fresh-letran-400x200.jpg)
Farm Fresh-Letran returned to the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center on Saturday morning.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman Richard Bachmann reiterated his support for the country’s hosting and called on basketball-loving Filipinos to watch the games, especially Gilas Pilipinas matches, starting August 25 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan
![Gilas Pilipinas and Angola [PR photo]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Gilas-vs-Angola-400x200.jpeg)
NBA star Jordan Clarkson and six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo led five Gilas Pilipinas players in double figures as the Nationals overpowered African qualifier Ivory Coast in the second half on the way to an 85-62 tuneup game victory Friday night, Aug. 18, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
In October 1978, the United States brought 12 players to the 8th World Basketball Championship (renamed as FIBA World Cup since 2014 in Spain) in Manila.
![Rajko Toroman, FIBA Asia Cup 2011 [photo credit: FIBA.com]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/5blReckpu0Ov-XVH0weNpQ-400x200.jpg)
Former Gilas Pilipinas head coach Rajko Toroman has been tapped by College of Saint Benilde to serve as a team consultant, starting with NCAA Season 99.
To welcome the world’s biggest basketball tournament, Smart has transformed the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Ball into a giant basketball with a hoop, considered as one of the most awe-inspiring, larger-than-life basketball tributes the country has ever seen.