Philippine Sports Commission Richard "Dickie" Bachmann reiterated his call for support to Gilas Pilipinas and the country's hosting of the FIBA Basketball World Cup.

In a statement, Bachmann said he invites all the basketballcrazy Filipinos to go out and watch the games, especially the opening salvo in which Gilas Pilipinas will face the Dominican
Republic at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.

"As the games return to our home soil, this historic event will forever be etched in the chronicles of our basketball history," Bachmann, who served as head of Operations of the FIBA Local Organizing Committee before being appointed as PSC
chief in December, said.

"So, I invite our kababayans to watch the games, may it be live or online."

Bachmann also thanked the Office of the President for the declaration of Memorandum Circular 27 signed by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin by the authority of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. that suspends work in government offices and classes in public schools at all levels
in Metro Manila and the province of Bulacan on 25 August.

"The PSC came out with this appeal to the Office of the Executive Secretary a few weeks back. We're thankful that this was granted immediately to ensure the safe, orderly, and successful conduct of the opening ceremonies," Bachmann said.

He added that he remains optimistic over the success of the country's hosting of the World Cup and the performance of Gilas Pilipinas, which aims to become the top-performing Asian team to earn a spot in the Paris Olympics.

"We are optimistic that with the immense support from our national government and the PSC, many of our Filipino basketball fans will fill up the seats in every game and be part of history," Bachmann said.