B.LEAGUE revels in Utsunomiya title celebration

Utsunomiya Brex, your B.LEAGUE champions

The Japan Professional Basketball League capped off a banner 2024-25 season with the Utsunomiya Brex claiming the Resona Group B.LEAGUE Finals championship in a three-game battle against Ryukyu Golden Kings.

League chairman Shinji Shimada shares, "I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for the tremendous support and cooperation from fans, partners, and stakeholders, including local governments, throughout this season. The Resona Group B.LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP 2024-25 showcased thrilling and intense matches truly befitting the grand finale of B.LEAGUE. Congratulations to Utsunomiya Brex for capturing the championship after a fierce battle. Their performance, while carrying the legacy of the late Coach Kevin Braswell, demonstrated overwhelming strength, securing the top spot in the championship and etching a new chapter in B.LEAGUE history, inspiring many people."

He adds, "Although they fell short of the championship, Ryukyu Golden Kings also achieved the remarkable feat of advancing to the finals for four consecutive years, showcasing their unwavering strength. The high-level offensive and defensive plays of both teams provided us with immense excitement and inspiration."

In addition, the league was ecstatic to share its attendance figures, with the numbers showing its highest total since its establishment in 2016-17 at 4,845,109 (including postseason). This is up from last season's total of 4,515,851.

As the B.LEAGUE marks its tenth anniversary in the coming season, they are committed to provide what it calls as "Kokoro, tagiru." (heart-pumping) games, as well as live sports entertainment through game operations, broadcasts, and streams. 

Shimada also remarks about the league's upcoming anniversary, "The 2025-26 season will mark the 10th anniversary of B.LEAGUE’s founding, and it will be the final season before our next stage of innovation. We will continue striving to become a league that is more accessible, inspiring, and proud to be recognized worldwide. We look forward to your continued support of B.LEAGUE."

Promoted sides A Chiba and Toyama enter the top flight B1 in its final such season, with the former joining the champions Brex and these teams in the Eastern Region: Hokkaido, Sendai, Akita, Ibaraki, Gunma, Koshigaya, Chiba J, A Tokyo, SR Shibuya, Kawasaki, and Yokohama BC.

The latter is bracketed in the Western Region, alongside the Golden Kings and these teams: San-en, Mikawa, FE Nagoya, Nagoya D, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Shimane, Hiroshima, Saga, and Nagasaki.

As for B2, they are split into two seven-team divisions, with the promotion of Iwate and Yokohama EX.

The two are slotted into the Eastern Region with Aomori, Yamagata, Fukushima, Fukui, and Shinshu, with the rest (Shizuoka, Kobe, Nara, Ehime, Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima) comprising the Western Region.

Dwight Ramos graces B.LEAGUE Finals watch party

Quantum Skyview x B.LEAGUE

As part of the Japan B.LEAGUE's Final Week in Manila 2025 activation, Filipino basketball fans got a taste of the Japanese top-flight in basketball with a watch party at the Quantum Skyview area of Gateway Mall 2, with no less than Dwight Ramos in attendance.

Just fresh from re-signing with Levanga Hokkaido, the Gilas Pilipinas standout analyzed and shared his thoughts about his experience facing off against the two teams tangling for the crown in Utsunomiya Brex and the Ryukyu Golden Kings.

In addition, Ramos also held a meet-and-greet for the event, and graced the different sub-activations taking place. 

The opening game of the best-of-three series saw the Brex defeat the Golden Kings, 81-68, anchored by their sixteen three-pointers en route to the victory at the Yokohama Arena.

Game 2 is slated to take place later today. A watch party is also slated to take place, this time featuring Kiefer Ravena as the guest.

The B.LEAGUE Final Week in Manila 2025 is made possible with the enthusiastic support of Cignal, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP). 

B.League launches Manila activation for Finals matchup

B.League Final Week

The first day of four for the 2025 edition of the Japan B.League Final Week in Manila kicked off with its activation at the Quantum Skyview inside Gateway Mall 2 last May 22.

Kicking off the myriad of activities is a B.Hope Asia Jr. Basketball Clinic, with around fifty kids getting basketball knowledge from Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (Osaka Evessa), and supervisor Shinji Tomiyama.

Aside from working on their skills, the clinic also highlighted the importance of proper hydration in partnership with Pocari Sweat.

On the second day of the event, a mini 3x3 tournament will take place, called the B.Hope Asia 3x3 Challenge, with Matthew Wright (Kawasaki Brave Thunders) gracing the event.

During the weekend, a live screening of the first two games of the B.League Finals will happen in the afternoon, with Dwight Ramos (Levanga Hokkaido, Saturday) and Kiefer Ravena (Yokohama, Sunday) set to hold meet-and-greet sessions.

Aside from this, fans are also encouraged to bring used basketball jerseys on either day, to contribute to a meaningful cause that would benefit underprivileged kids and further spread the joy of basketball, as part of its Pass It Forward program.

The Japan B.League Final Week in Manila 2025 is supported by Cignal, the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

SM Mall of Asia Arena unveils The Cube: the country's biggest centerhung

The Cube

Wednesday saw not just a doubleheader of the best of the best in collegiate volleyball, but also the reveal of what is the country's biggest and most sophisticated centerhung, The Cube.

Worth over $2.1 million, this new element was installed earlier this month, as part of the SM Mall of Asia Arena's 13th anniversary celebrations, and also a move to keep the venue in line with international standards through technological upgrades.

From the original 138 square meters, The Cube now occupies a total active area of 176 square meters. Supplied and manufactured by Daktronics, which is one of the world leaders in engineering LED display technology and audio systems that has been seen in arenas like the Intuit Dome, Madison Square Garden, and Crypto.com Arena, its main display utilizes a 672x1344 resolution, producing crystal-clear images and utilizing lively colors that reflects a marked improvement of 117%.

In addition, The Cube also has an upper ring covering 30 square meters at 168x5548 resolution, as well as a lower ring measuring 18 square meters at 168x3024.

With The Cube now in harness, it now provides a great opportunity for promoters, partners, and fans to provide a massive boost to one's in-venue experience, whether through game statistics displays, video replays, split-screen functionalities, and even fan cams.

The Cube, at the same time, allows the MOA Arena to engage the current tech-savvy generation while also ensuring it has been future-proofed for what lies in years to come. reflecting the venue's commitment to be one of the most preferred event locations in the country.

In revealing their latest baby, SM MOA Arena General Manager Arnel Gonzales shares, "This magnitude of investment and facility upgrade serves as SM MOA Arena’s testament to bring exemplary live entertainment to the country. Through continuous development and innovation with the latest technology, SM MOA Arena aims to not only change the game and elevate entertainment, but to be recognized amongst the most sophisticated venue in the world."

NBA Philippines launches NBA Rising Stars Invitational Qualifiers for the Philippines

c/o NBA, NBA Philippines

The NBA launched a new initiative on Wednesday, with the start of the Philippines Qualifiers for the NBA Rising Stars Invitational at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

In collaboration with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, seven teams made history as its inaugural participants. Four teams comprise the boys' division, while the remaining three teams are in the distaff side.

Teams will be going through a round robin for the next three days, before the two best teams tangle in the finals on Saturday, May 10, at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. The best teams on that day will get to represent the country for the competition proper of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational next month in Singapore.

Opening up action on that day is National University-Nazareth School's 70-30 demolition of St. Paul College-Pasig.

The Lady Bullpups opened the game by scoring the first 22 points, before Stephie Contreras converted a triple at the 3:36 mark of the opening period for the Paulinians.

NUNS would cruise on towards finish, relying on their dynamic duo of Aubrey Lapasaran and Zaydhen Rosano to secure the victory. The latter finished with a double-double of twelve points and fourteen rebounds, while also dishing five assists. The former also scored twelve points, while also grabbing seven rebounds and a couple of assists.

Head Coach Camille Escoto shared afterwards, "We’re trying to prepare din kasi yung mga kalaban namin, nag-prepare din. Actually, may practice pa kami later kasi ayaw namin ma-take for granted yung ganitong opportunity."

SPC-P head coach Edsel del Rosario highlighted the experience having his players are having, "Na-excite yung mga bata nung nag-invite yung NBA Philippines. Actually, first time nila ma-experience yung mag-huddle in sa hotel, sama-sama sila as a team, kakain sabay-sabay, yung parang nasa Olympics. Ganun experience nila."

SPC-P will have a final chance of making the finals if they can defeat the third team in the division, La Salle College-Antipolo.

Meanwhile on the boys' side, UAAP sides UST and NUNS took care of things against their provincial opposition.

The Tiger Cubs rode on the hot shooting of John Canapi and Joaquin Ludovice to secure a 93-64 victory over Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu.

Both guards made more three pointers by themselves compared to the Magis Eagles as a team, as Canapi went 7/16 from deep to finish with a game-high 24 points. Ludovice made four triples on his way to fourteen markers.

Lawrence Cinco complemented the two with a near double-double shift, scoring 23 and grabbing nine rebounds.

Canapi says about the importance of being invited to this competition, "Mahalaga po itong liga sa mga batang gustong mangarap na maka-laro sa malaking liga."

Even with the defeat, Magis Eagles head coach Rommel Rasmo remains unfazed. He says, "We really prepared for this, going back to Cebu. We really do our best to compete. We just have to keep going. Now, we still have other games, so we hope that we can survive that. At least, I’m confident that after this first game, I’m sure that we’re settled down now."

Capping off the tripleheader is the Bullpups emerging as 67-52 winners over Ateneo de Davao.

In a tightly contest affair, it took a strong fourth quarter for the UAAP squad to dispatch their Mindanao counterparts.

Ahead by just six heading into the start of the final period, NUNS would break the game open by scoring the first six points of the period to double their lead to twelve, 54-42.

A Jhon Pellegrino triple would somehow stem the bleeding for the Blue Knights, but the Bullpups responded with buckets from Shawn Lucido and Andre Mann to make it 59-45 midway in the fourth as it cruised into the finish with the victory.

Lucido credited their coaching staff for their strong performance, saying, "Every day kami nag-eensayo and syempre, sumunod lang kami sa sistema ng NU at kay coach Kevin."

Ateneo de Davao head coach Jess Evangelio says about their experience, "We will use this as our preparation for us to blend more, have more chemistry, and improve our individual skills and as a team."

Gatorade, in its capacity as the presenting partner of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, ensures that both the participating players and coaches are very much hydrated. Also supporting the competition as official partners are Energen Champion and vivo, while in its capacity as the official broadcaster, Cignal will be showing the finals of both divisions this weekend on One Sports, NBA TV Philippines, and Pilipinas Live.