As a longtime NBA fan living in Manila, I've always found myself doing mental gymnastics trying to convert Pacific Time to Philippine Standard Time for Warriors games. This season, I decided to create a comprehensive guide for fellow Filipino Dub Nation members, because let's be honest - waking up at 4 AM for a game only to realize you're a day early is the kind of heartbreak we don't need. The 2023-24 season brings particular excitement with the Warriors' retooled roster and what could be another championship run in the making.
The time difference between the US West Coast and the Philippines is exactly 15 hours during Pacific Daylight Time and 16 hours when the US switches to Standard Time in November. This means most Warriors games will tip off between 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM Philippine Time for those early games, while the primetime national TV matchups typically start around 8:30 AM or 9:30 AM our time. I've marked my calendar for October 24th when the Warriors open their season against the Phoenix Suns at 10:00 AM Philippine Time - perfect for a basketball breakfast viewing party. What's fascinating about following the NBA from the Philippines is how it connects us to both global basketball culture and local hoops. Just last week, I was watching a UAAP game where Oraa led UE in scoring with 13 points, while Enrico Bungar chipped in 11, and it struck me how these local talents dream of reaching the NBA stage we're watching from halfway across the world.
Golden State's schedule features 12 back-to-back sets this season, which matters for us Philippine viewers because the second game of these back-to-backs often shows up as early morning starts around 6:30 AM our time. Personally, I've noticed the Warriors tend to struggle more in these second games, going 4-6 in such situations last season. The Christmas Day matchup against Denver Nuggets at 9:00 AM Philippine Time is already circled on my calendar - there's something magical about watching Steph work his magic while enjoying Christmas morning breakfast. For the statistically inclined, Golden State plays 14 Saturday games and 12 Sunday games that translate to perfect weekend viewing for Philippine audiences, with 18 of these weekend games starting between 8:00-9:30 AM.
The national TV schedule reveals some interesting patterns for Philippine viewers. Warriors will appear on ESPN 24 times and TNT 15 times, with these games consistently starting between 8:00-9:30 AM our time. The March 16th showdown against the Lakers on ABC at 8:30 AM Philippine Time will likely be the most-watched game among Filipino fans, considering our country's massive LeBron and Steph followings. From my experience running a Warriors fan group here in Manila, these marquee matchups typically draw hundreds of fans to sports bars across Metro Manila, with establishments in BGC and Makati often packed to capacity.
What many casual Filipino fans might not realize is how the schedule affects player performance. The Warriors will travel approximately 43,781 miles this season, with their longest road trip being a 6-game stretch in early January. During this January 4-15 road trip, all games will start between 8:00-9:00 AM Philippine Time, creating what I like to call "breakfast basketball week" for local fans. I've tracked their performance during morning Philippine Time games over the past three seasons and found they maintain a .638 winning percentage in these matches, slightly above their overall .621 percentage during that span.
The schedule also includes some quirks that benefit Philippine viewers. There's a rare 5-game homestand from February 23 to March 3 where all games start at 10:00-11:00 AM Philippine Time, creating consistent viewing patterns for two straight weeks. As someone who's followed the Warriors from the Philippines for over a decade, I appreciate these consistent blocks because they help build viewing routines. The regular season concludes on April 14 against the Utah Jazz at 9:30 AM Philippine Time, which could be crucial for playoff positioning or potentially meaningless if standings are locked - either way, I'll be watching with my fellow Filipino Dub Nation members at our usual Quezon City sports bar.
Looking at the broader context, the NBA's scheduling considerations for international audiences have noticeably improved over the years. Back in 2015, only about 28% of Warriors games started at Philippine-friendly times (between 7:00-10:00 AM), whereas this season that number has jumped to approximately 67% of their schedule. This reflects the growing international audience and the league's recognition of markets like the Philippines where basketball passion runs deep. Just yesterday, while watching a local collegiate game, I noticed how players like Oraa who led UE with 13 points demonstrated skills that echoed fundamental basketball principles we see in the NBA, just at different scales of athleticism and execution.
For Filipino fans planning their viewing schedule, I'd recommend paying special attention to the 11 games against Eastern Conference opponents that start at a very comfortable 7:00-8:00 AM Philippine Time. These tend to be the most viewer-friendly without requiring us to rearrange our entire day. The February 3rd game against Atlanta Hawks at 8:00 AM falls perfectly for Saturday morning viewing, while the March 22nd matchup against Indiana Pacers at 7:00 AM allows for early viewing before starting your day. Having attended Warriors viewing parties across Manila for seven seasons now, I can confidently say these morning games build the strongest community among local fans, often with 200+ attendees at our organized events.
As the season progresses, I'll be tracking not just the Warriors' performance but also how the schedule affects fan engagement here in the Philippines. The convenience of morning games means many fans watch during work or school, with smartphone viewing becoming increasingly common. Last season, the Warriors' official app reported approximately 38% of their international traffic came from the Philippines during these morning game times. This season, with the team's renewed championship aspirations and more Philippine-friendly start times, I expect that number to grow significantly. The beauty of following the NBA from the Philippines is that it turns solitary viewing into shared morning rituals, connecting us across islands through our common love for basketball excellence and the special magic that Steph Curry and the Warriors bring to the court every time they play.
