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Tag: NBA Rising Stars Invitationals

  • SBP focuses on development after UST, FEU fall short in NBA Rising Stars Invitational 

    SBP focuses on development after UST, FEU fall short in NBA Rising Stars Invitational 

    The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) backed UST Junior Growling Tigresses and FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws as the two teams represented the Philippines in the Singapore tournament, which brought together elite youth teams from 11 Asia-Pacific countries in a showcase of emerging basketball talent across the region.

     

    Both Philippine squads faced tough international competition, with the defending UAAP girls’ basketball champions from UST suffering a narrow 81-78 loss to Australia’s Rowville Secondary College. Meanwhile, the reigning UAAP boys’ basketball champions from FEU Diliman fell to Japan’s Tottori Johoku High School, 81-75.

     

    Despite the setbacks, the SBP emphasized that the tournament served as a valuable development opportunity for the young athletes as they gained experience against different playing styles and basketball cultures.

     

    SBP Executive Director Erika Dy traveled to Singapore to personally support the Philippine delegation, joining UAAP Executive Director Rebo Saguisag in watching the teams compete on the international stage.


    Rather than focusing on the losses, Dy pointed to the exposure gained by the players and coaches throughout the tournament.

     

    “Well, it’s a very good experience for both the players and the coaches. I was able to talk to some of the staff members of both our boys and girls team here, and they’re very happy about the exposure that the players are receiving or getting from this tournament,” Dy said.

     

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    Beyond competition, Dy also highlighted the importance of building connections among athletes and basketball officials from different countries. She described the tournament as a platform where young players could develop relationships that could benefit them in future international competitions.

     

    “And on my end, I think one thing that they can really take home is the sports diplomacy that’s involved here. So you can see the players making friends with other players from the other countries and carrying themselves really well. So that’s something for sure they will bring to the national team also once they make it there,” she said.

     

    That focus on long-term development was also echoed by Saguisag, who stressed that the tournament was about creating opportunities and strengthening the basketball community beyond borders.

     

    “Right now, it’s not necessarily bringing home [the championship], but really expanding the global community, networking to begin with, just establishing new linkages and bridges.” he said.

     

    With the NBA Rising Stars Invitational experience now added to their journey, the UST Junior Growling Tigresses and FEU Diliman Baby Tamaraws return home with lessons that extend beyond wins and losses. For the SBP, these international opportunities are part of the bigger mission of preparing young Filipino players for the global basketball stage.

     

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  • UAAP champions FEU-D, UST fall short of NBA Rising Stars semifinals 

    UAAP champions FEU-D, UST fall short of NBA Rising Stars semifinals 

    The Philippines arrived in Singapore carrying the credentials of two reigning UAAP champions. It left with something just as valuable—proof that the country’s next generation can compete with some of Asia-Pacific’s finest basketball programs.

     

    Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas both saw their campaigns in the 2026 NBA Rising Stars Invitational end in the group stage at the OCBC Arena, but not before showing they belonged on an international stage.

     

    Both squads opened the tournament by making emphatic statements.

     

    The Baby Tamaraws overwhelmed Singapore’s Hwa Chong Institution, 89-24, behind another balanced effort from their Gilas Youth standouts, while the Junior Growling Tigresses comfortably handled Mongolia’s Royal International School, 75-45, to immediately place themselves in contention for semifinal spots.

     

    Those convincing victories set up winner-take-all group finales against two of the tournament’s unbeaten teams.

     

    UST found itself within striking distance until the final seconds before absorbing a heartbreaking 81-78 defeat to Australia’s Rowville Secondary College.

     

    With the Junior Growling Tigresses trailing by six points in the closing moments, Sofia Petalcorin drilled a clutch three-pointer to trim the deficit to three.

     

    Rhiane Perez then created one final opportunity by forcing a turnover from Bridgette Kata, but her fast-break layup rolled off the rim. Lea Pinuela secured the offensive rebound, yet time expired before UST could attempt another shot.

     

    The loss allowed Rowville to finish atop Pool B after completing a perfect group-stage sweep.

     

    Earlier, the Australian school had also defeated Royal International School, 73-48.

     

    The Baby Tamaraws faced a similar uphill battle later in the day against Japan’s Tottori Johoku High School.

     

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    After trailing by nine points with under two minutes remaining, FEU-D launched one final rally, cutting the deficit to four after JJ Dagcutan converted a putback from a JB Cagurungan miss with just 17 seconds left.

     

    The comeback, however, stopped short.

     

    A pair of missed free throws by Dwyne Enriquez prevented the Baby Tamaraws from applying more pressure before Yuki Yamasaki calmly knocked down his free throws to seal an 81-75 victory that sent Tottori Johoku into the semifinals as Pool D champions.

     

    Despite the disappointing finishes, several Filipino standouts delivered throughout the tournament.

     

    Pinuela and Petalcorin carried UST with 16 points apiece in its battle against Rowville, while Perez flirted with a double-double after posting eight points and 12 rebounds. Lhian Arabi also anchored the interior with seven points and 13 rebounds.

     

    For FEU-D, Cagurungan and Prince Cariño once again led the offense with 16 points each against the Japanese side, while Cariño added eight rebounds. JA Lopez chipped in 10 points.

     

    Both players had already set the tone during the Baby Tamaraws’ dominant tournament opener, combining for 43 points against Hwa Chong after Cagurungan scored 22 and Cariño added 21.

     

    UST likewise received another all-around effort from Perez in its opening victory, where she collected 19 points and 14 rebounds, while Jesabel Anacan contributed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double.

     

    Although neither Philippine representative advanced to the knockout stage, their performances reinforced the growing competitiveness of Philippine high school basketball against established programs from Australia, Japan, and across Asia—valuable experience that could pay dividends for many of these players as they continue their development on bigger stages.

     

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  • FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    FEU Boys and UST Girls banner PH Flag in NBA Rising Invitationals

    Winning a championship at home was only the beginning.

     

    For Far Eastern University-Diliman and University of Santo Tomas, their UAAP titles have now opened the door to a bigger stage as both schools represent the Philippines in the second edition of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational in Singapore.

     

    The tournament gives the country’s top high school teams a chance to measure themselves against elite youth programs from across Asia, turning what is usually a domestic journey into an international test of growth and development.

     

    For FEU-Diliman, the experience is about more than results.

     

    “We have an expectation to gain a lot from this tournament (because) we’ll be playing international schools,” said Baby Tamaraws coach Allan Albano.

     

    The boys’ squad arrives with added confidence after receiving a boost from Gilas Pilipinas Youth standouts JB Cagurungan and Prince Cariño, who recently helped the national team capture gold in the FIBA U18 Asia Cup SEABA Qualifiers.

     

    Despite the demanding schedule and the quick turnaround from national team duties, Cariño said he is ready for another challenge.

     

    “My fatigue level is fine. I just maximize my rest and do time management,” Cariño said.

     

    “I just do proper recovery and sleep.”

     

    On the girls’ side, UST enters the competition carrying both excitement and curiosity as the Junior Growling Tigresses prepare to face unfamiliar opponents from around the region.

     

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    Their participation marks another milestone for a program that has steadily established itself among the country’s best.

     

    “I’ve never seen them this excited before. We’re extremely happy and we’re thankful to the NBA for inviting us,” said UST-SHS coach Arsenio Dysangco.

     

    “This is a very big event for us.

     

    “We’re all excited in this program because we have a chance to play against top basketball girls’ programs here in Asia.”

     

    Beyond the games themselves, the tournament also gives young athletes a chance to interact with basketball personalities they have long admired.

     

    Among the notable guests expected to attend are Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, former NBA guard Jeremy Lin, Hall of Fame sharpshooter Mitch Richmond, and WNBA legend Lauren Jackson.

     

    For FEU-Diliman and UST, the NBA Rising Stars Invitational offers something few high school teams experience—a chance to represent both school and country while seeing how their games stack up against the rest of Asia.

     

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