MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray. Movie/TV actress Maja Salvador. Actor-sportsman Gerald Anderson. Volleyball star Kianna Dy. TV host Gretchen Ho. Actor Sam Milby. Comedian Jose Manalo.

These are some of the big-name personalities from politics, entertainment and sports who came to watch the historic opening playdate of the FIBA World Cup 2023 at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

Gray, who is also FIBA World Cup local ambassador, attended the Philippines- Dominican game with her fiance, Sam Milby.

Anderson, who plays basketball in the MPBL, was also present

Salvador came with her husband Rambo Nuñez, while Dy joined the crowd to show her support to her boyfriend, Dwight Ramos of Gilas Pilipinas.

Dy eben shared a selfie on her Instagram story while wearing a ‘Pilipinas’ jersey shirt.

Ho, a forner volleyball player, was also spotted in the big crowd.

The special guest of the evening, President Ferdinand “Bongbong”.Marcos, was accompanied by his son, Rep. Sandro Marcos of Ilocos Norte, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez

NBA legend and FIBA Ambassador Dirk Nowitzki of Germany was also there on courtside with fellow VIP guests.

The local sports world was also well-represented.

Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Chairman Emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan and San Miguel Corp.president Ramon S. Ang were also present, along with PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, SBP president Al Panlilio, vice president Ricky Vargas, ABAP president Robbie Puno and San Miguel Corp. sports director zalfrancis Chua.

Also seen were former Gilas standouts LA Tenorio and Larry Fonacier, former Gilas coach Tab Baldwin and Steve Watson and assistant coach Nemie Villegas of 1978 Philippine team.

A total of 38,115 fans attended the opening-day games which saw Italy beat Angola and Dominican Republic edge host Philippines at the 55,000-seat Bulacan venue.

The new attendance record easily surpassed the previous record for a FIBA Basketball World Cup game in an indoor arena of 32,616 spectators who witnessed the 132-91 victory of the United States over Russia during the 1994 World Cup final at the SkyDome in Toronto, Canada.