Champions, collegiate contenders, and international talent from across the region are set to converge in Manila as eight teams from the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia compete in the inaugural NSAC World Invitational, happening August 14 to 16 at the PhilSports Arena.

Presented in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the tournament brings together four Philippine collegiate programs — University of Santo Tomas, San Beda University, Jose Rizal University, and Far Eastern University — and four international teams in Fighting Eagles Nagoya, Tenri University, National Formosa University, and Elite Stacks AUS.

The field features recent champions from both the Philippines and Japan, a top-flight Japanese professional club, one of Taiwan’s leading collegiate programs, and a select Australian squad featuring players with experience across Australian and U.S. basketball.

Leading the Philippine contingent are the UST Growling Tigers, who enter the World Invitational as the reigning NSAC champions.

UST will once again lean on NSAC Finals MVP Mark Llemit, alongside Collins Akowe and Amiel Acido, as the Growling Tigers look to carry their championship form into a considerably different challenge against international opposition.

Joining them are the San Beda Red Lions, the reigning NCAA Season 101 champions and third-place finishers in the recent NSAC.
San Beda captured its record-extending 24th NCAA men’s basketball championship last season and brings a talented core featuring RC Calimag, Aldous Torculas, and Dan Marcelo into the World Invitational.

The JRU Heavy Bombers also arrive with championship momentum after capturing the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup, defeating San Beda in the title game. Filoil Finals MVP Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla headline a JRU side looking to carry its strong preseason form into international competition. Completing the Philippine field are the FEU Tamaraws, who reached the quarterfinals of the recent NSAC.

FEU will feature Kirby Mongcopa, Janrey Pasaol, and Mohamed Konateh, while the World Invitational could also provide another look at highly touted incoming rookie Cabs Cabonilas. Cabonilas enters the senior ranks after a historic UAAP juniors campaign in which he became the first player to win the UAAP Boys Basketball Season MVP and Finals MVP awards in the same season, helping FEU-Diliman capture the Season 88 championship.

Japan will be represented by two teams coming from different levels of the country’s basketball system.

Fighting Eagles Nagoya brings professional pedigree to Manila as a member of Japan’s
top-flight B1 League.

Founded in 1957, the club won the 2021–22 B2 championship before earning promotion to B1, where it has since competed against some of Japan’s best professional teams.
Alongside the Fighting Eagles are Tenri University, which arrives as the reigning Kansai Collegiate Basketball Division I champion.

Tenri completed a historic 14–0 undefeated campaign in 2025, securing its first Kansai Division I championship in 12 years. The Japanese collegiate champion built that run around an imposing defense that surrendered just 58.1 points per game.

The World Invitational will offer Philippine basketball fans a rare opportunity to see Japan’s professional and collegiate systems represented in the same tournament.

National Formosa University represents Taiwan after establishing itself among the country’s top collegiate programs. NFU reached the 2026 University Basketball Association Division I Final Four, eventually finishing fourth in Taiwan’s premier collegiate basketball competition. Its appearance in Manila adds another distinct basketball system to the World Invitational as NFU tests itself against Philippine, Japanese, and Australian opposition.

Rounding out the international contingent is Elite Stacks AUS, a select squad formed through Elite AUS Basketball and Stacks Basketball.

Unlike the university and professional clubs in the field, Elite Stacks AUS brings together
players from different programs, with its roster featuring experience across Australian basketball and the U.S. collegiate ranks.

The Australian contingent includes players connected with the Woodville Warriors, South West Slammers, West Adelaide Bearcats, and Perry Lakes Hawks, as well as U.S. collegiate programs Alabama A&M University, Highland Community College, and Western Oklahoma State College. That combination of backgrounds gives Elite Stacks AUS a different identity from the rest of the field and another style for the Philippine teams to contend with.

With recent champions and established programs coming from four countries, the inaugural NSAC World Invitational expands the competition beyond the domestic collegiate landscape.

UST will put its NSAC championship pedigree to the test, while San Beda and JRU enter with recent titles of their own. FEU brings a mix of established collegiate talent and emerging players.

Across the court, they will encounter a B1 professional club in Fighting Eagles Nagoya, an undefeated Japanese collegiate champion in Tenri, a Taiwanese Final Four program in National Formosa University, and the diverse roster of Elite Stacks AUS.

The NSAC World Invitational 2026 takes place from August 14 to 16 at the PhilSports Arena. Tickets are available through TicketNet.com.ph and all TicketNet outlets. One ticket provides access to all games scheduled for the day.
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