Passionate crowds electrifying the second window

YOKOHAMA (FIBA Basketball World Cup 2019 Asian Qualifiers) - Passionate crowds have energized the opening  of the second window of the Asian Qualifiers. 

Ferocious on-court action has been mirrored by frenetic fandom in the stands. Highlighting this, the ardent Japanese fans stole the show on day one with the stadium rocking in Yokohama. In an incredible sight, 5000 Japanese fans made plenty of noise amid a sell-out crowd. However, the vocal crowd was not enough to inspire winless Japan who fell to Chinese Taipei in a thrilling affair on Thursday.

In similar fashion, more than 8000 Chinese fans made their voices heard in Dongguan but a resilient New Zealand impressively silenced the crowd in a comeback upset victory over China.

The much-anticipated game between Australia and the Philippines on Thursday was played in Melbourne and once again it was an incredible atmosphere in the stands. 

The 6,500 plus in attendance at Margaret Court Arena had a large smattering of Gilas Pilipinas fans, who made their presence felt throughout with constant jeering and howling at the hosts. 

The atmosphere seemed to inspire the underdog Philippines who led in the second quarter and were matching their formidable foes. Eventually, the composed Boomers pulled away in the second-half to register a clinical 84-68 victory to stay undefeated and remain top of Group B.

Australia coach Andrej Lemanis said he was delighted with how his youthful team responded to the hostile environment. “I thought that was one of the most pleasing things,” he said. “With all the chaos going on, the Philippines up a little bit, and the crowd getting behind it, we did a god job of not panicking and playing Boomers ball.”

It was another reminder of the adulation basketball commands in the hoops obsessed Philippines, where basketball takes center stage. Australia have received a dose of that beloved fandom in Melbourne, but the volume level will be severely increased when the Boomers travel to Manila in the return fixture on July 2.

The Filipino crowd turned up in numbers in Melbourne to support Gilas

The game is set to be a sell-out and played in front of 20,000 screaming Filipino fans at Manila’s Mall of Asia Arena in what is sure to be an electrifying atmosphere that most of the Boomers players probably have never previously experienced.

It will be a severe test for the Boomers who have swept all before them in the Asian Qualifiers with three straight convincing victories. They are hot favorites to add another win when they play Chinese Taipei in Melbourne on Sunday.

As we’ve already seen, passionate fan bases have stolen the show in the second window and the frenetic fandom is set to continue during the final two days of action.

FIBA