Letran seeks fourth straight in Filoil Preseason

Games Tuesday at the Playtime Filoil Centre
11 a.m. - JRU vs. LPU
1 p.m. - EAC vs. Letran
3 p.m. - Arellano vs. Perpetual
5 p.m. - Adamson vs. UST

JUNE seemed to have changed the air in University of Santo Tomas as it finally chalked one in the win column in the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive.

Now, the Growling Tigers want to make it two-in-a-row when they face Adamson on Tuesday at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

The two squads collide at 5 p.m. in the main event of another quadruple-header as they jostle for position in the UAAP Group.

UST (1-2) is coming off a 83-75 win over Far Eastern U last Saturday with Gelo Crisostomo taking the lead role.

"We want to show composure, na kahit nakakahabol yung mga kalaban, nakakarecover yung team," said assistant coach Japs Cuan of that last outing.

Meanwhile, Adamson suffered its second straight defeat after being walloped by Ateneo, 72-52.

It was a performance that the boys of coach Nash Racela would rather forget especially after the team fired a horrid 17-percent from distance.

Meanwhile, Letran is starting to gain steam in the NCAA Group, winning its last three games and is motivated to sustain that run against Emilio Aguinaldo College at 1 p.m. of this premier preseason tourney which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

Titing Manalili, Jimboy Estrada, and rookie George Diamante have been impressive in the Knights' last outing, an 83-72 win over Mapua, and would want to keep it up against the well-rested Generals, which last played in May 19 and gutted out a 91-88 overtime win over Arellano.

Undefeated Jose Rizal University (2-0) raise the curtains at 11 a.m. against slumping Lyceum of the Philippines University (1-3), while winless teams Arellano and Perpetual, both trotting 0-2 cards, part ways at 3 p.m.

Prime Video reveals lineup for landmark NBA Finals coverage for the Philippines

Prime Video is set to pull out all of the stops as it set to make history with their exclusive coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals for the Philippines, which officially starts on June 4 at 830am between the Eastern Conference champions, the New York Knicks, as they travel to Texas to face their Western Conference counterparts, the San Antonio Spurs.

To conclude its historic inaugural season as one of the NBA's broadcast partners, Prime Video has revealed its on-air broadcast team set to deliver studio analysis and play-by-play game coverage.

Using its state-of-the-art NBA on Prime studio in Culver City, Prime Video will have a studio team able to provide Championship-winning expertise while also integrating an international flavor. Leading the pool of rotating analysts are Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famers Vlade Divac and Chris Bosh, alongside a couple of great Euro ballers with vast NBA experience in Danilo Gallinari and Nico Batum.

Batum is a four-time Olympian for France and just completed his eighteenth season in the league with a multitude of teams, the latest being the Los Angeles Clippers in his second stint with the team. Already armed with experience from covering major international tournaments, including last year's Eurobasket, he can provide an active player's views for the broadcast.

Bosh spent thirteen seasons in the NBA, having been named as an NBA All-Star eleven times. The Georgia Tech alum won two titles alongside LeBron James and Dwyane Wade with the Miami Heat in the previous decade. Post-play, he has served as an analyst when TNT held Players Only broadcasts back when they had the league's rights.

Gallinari recently retired after sixteen seasons in the league, becoming the highest-scoring Italian in the NBA. He has served guest analyst roles for a variety of teams, whether with the radio coverage of the Denver Nuggets, the NBA G League, and in the Olympics.

As for Divac, he amongst the pioneers for Europeans in the league, whether on and off the court. A former first round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers, he also spent time with the Charlotte Hornets and the Sacramento Kings, with the latter having also served as their general manager, allowing the coverage to have a viewpoint from a team executive lens.

Completing the Finals cast are two of Prime Video's sideline reporters throughout the NBA season in Allie Clifton and Kristina Pink. The latter will reprise her role for the NBA Finals, capturing the scenes in both San Antonio and New York, while the former will host the studio coverage.

The 2026 NBA Finals is a rematch of the 1999 edition, the last time the Knicks made it this far, when they were the 8-seed and anchored by the likes of Allan Houston, Latrell Sprewell. Larry Johnson, and Marcus Camby. They lost in five games to a team anchored by David Robinson and Tim Duncan.

In addition, it is a rematch of the this season's NBA Cup title game, which the Knicks won, 124-113, last December. OG Anunoby led New York with 28 points, while Jalen Brunson added 25 in becoming the NBA Cup MVP. They are now currently on an eleven-game winning streak, having swept both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers during this stretch.

Meanwhile, the Spurs are fresh from eliminating the defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games, ensuring that the league will have eight different franchises win the Larry O'Brien Trophy in the last eight seasons, the longest such stretch in its history.

The 2026 NBA Finals tips off on Thursday, June 4, LIVE exclusively on Prime Video in the Philippines, with tip slated at 830am for all games of this best-of-seven series.

The schedule is as follows

• Game 1: June 4 at San Antonio
• Game 2: June 6 at San Antonio
• Game 3: June 9 at New York
• Game 4: June 11 at New York
• Game 5*: June 14 at San Antonio
• Game 6*: June 17 at New York
• Game 7*: June 20 at San Antonio 

* if necessary 

One can watch Prime Video through a variety of devices, from the app that is available on smartphones, tablets, set-top boxes, consoles, and smart televisions, as well as through streaming in the web. 

Basketball activities highlight first two days of B.LEAGUE FINAL WEEK in MANILA 2026

3x3 at the Fashion Hall

Filipino ballers have spent the last couple of days balling at the special 3x3 halfcourt installed inside the SM Megamall's Mega Fashion Hall in the last couple of days for the B.LEAGUE FINAL Week.

Aside from the press conference that highlighted the opening of the activation last Thursday, the sprawling venue hosted 1-on-1 action, with Ray Parks, who had just concluded his club stint at Osaka Evessa, as a special guest, while Friday saw Francis Lopez of Nagoya Fighting Eagles check out 3x3 action, called the Yanmar Hanasaka B. Hope Asia 3x3 Challenge 2026.

Action featured eight teams that each featured male and female players, as they battled it out all afternoon and evening for some inclusive and thrilling competition.

The on-court action served as a neat appetizer for the upcoming Resona Group B.LEAGUE Championship 2025-26 final between upstart Nagasaki Velca and traditional contender Ryukyu Golden Kings, with the first two of potentially three finals matches taking place at the Yokohama Arena for the next couple of days.

Fans can still check out the action at the Mega Fashion Hall, as a live viewing party will take place for Game 1 and Game 2 at the venue, before it turns into a basketball clinic afterwards, in conjunction with B. Hope Asia.

Saturday's clinic is supported by Toyota and will feature Kiefer Ravena, while younger brother Thirdy will be present for Sunday's festivities, which is supported by Nissei.

Aside from Yanmar, Toyota and Nissei, the B.LEAGUE Final Week is also supported by Meiji, JCB, Epson, Molten, and PGA Sompo.

For more details about top-flight Japanese club basketball, one can check out the freshly revealed B.LEAGUE Philippines page on Facebook (b.leagueofficiallphilippines), Instagram and TikTok (@b.league_ph).

Manila to serve as first overseas venue for B.LEAGUE games

B.LEAGUE heads to Manila

The Philippines once again gets thrown into the limelight for continental basketball, as the B.LEAGUE revealed that it will host its first-ever overseas games at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

As it marks the near-conclusion of its historic tenth season and its reboot into B.PREMIER next season, top-flight Japanese club basketball will feature two teams with confirmed Filipino representation on its rosters as Dwight Ramos and Levanga Hokkaido will go up against AJ Edu and Gunma Crane Thunders on September 9-10, called the B.LEAGUE Manila Games 2026. 

Ramos was present for the league's announcement on Thursday to mark the historic moment, as the press conference for the upcoming games took place at the start of the B.LEAGUE Final Week activation at the Mega Fashion Hall inside SM Megamall.

Representing the B.LEAGUE for this event was Nao Okamoto, with special guests Willie Marcial of the Philippine Basketball Association and Ryan Gregorio of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas. The B.LEAGUE Manila Games 2026 will take place in cooperation with the two entities concerned, with the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.

With the slogan, Two Nations, One Beat, it also highlights the strong ties the Philippines and Japan have with each other, as it marks the 70th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Serving as official partners for this event are Toyota Motor Philippines Corporation, JCB International Co. Ltd., Nissei Co. Ltd., Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd., and Meiji Co. Ltd., with SONAK Corporation and PGA Sompo Insurance Corporation as official suppliers.

In a message, B.LEAGUE Chairman Shinji Shimada shares, "We are truly delighted to host B.LEAGUE’s first-ever overseas games in the Philippines, a country filled with passion for basketball. The Philippines has produced more Asia Special Quota players for B.LEAGUE than any other country/region, creating a special bond between us. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone in the Philippine basketball community for their tremendous support in making this project possible, as well as to all the players who have served as bridges between our two nations."

He adds, "The games will be held at the SM Mall of Asia Arena, a very special venue that hosted the Final of the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, hosted by Japan and the Philippines. It is a great honor for us to stage B.LEAGUE games at such an iconic arena. We hope many fans will come to the venue and experience the excitement and appeal of B.LEAGUE firsthand."

The league says that ticketing details for the event are likely to be revealed next month. They also revealed an official link to the event at https://www.bleague.jp/manila-games/.

Filoil Preseason begins with Final Four rematches

Games Sunday
12 p.m. - LPU vs. Mapua
2 p.m. - UST vs. UP
4 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies
4:30 p.m. - NU vs. La Salle

FAMILIAR rivals headline the opening day of the 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive on Sunday, rekindling Final Four flames and writing new chapters in their respective stories.

Reigning three-time preseason champion University of the Philippines begins its quest for redemption against last year's semifinal foe University of Santo Tomas at 2 p.m., to be followed with the main game featuring the UAAP Season 88 kings La Salle taking on a rebuilding National U at 4:30 p.m.

Newly-hired shot-callers Chito Victolero and Jamike Jarin, meanwhile, return to the collegiate scene as Mapua and Lyceum of the Philippines U raise the curtains at 12 p.m. at Playtime Filoil Centre in San Juan.

Everyone's eyes will be on the Fighting Maroons, now armed with Veejay Pre, James Payosing, and Rainer Maga, as the Diliman crew try to upend the Growling Tigers, which will still parade Collins Akowe, Gelo Crisostomo, and Amiel Acido.

On the other hand, Mason Amos and Jacob Cortez are pressured to keep the Green Archers at the top as they brace for the challenge of the PJ Palacielo-led Bulldogs in this tilt which has Hanes, Buffalo's Wings N Things, Wallem, BDO, Akari, Smart, Molten, Reyes Barbecue, Nature's Spring, Tela.com Athletics, Brothers Burger, and Don Benito's as sponsors.

Meanwhile, Victolero is trotting out an essentially new Cardinals crew with rookie Froilan Reyes joining holdovers Ivan Lazarte and Yam Concepcion.

But awaiting them are the Jarin's Pirates which are welcoming back court general Mac Guadana in its fray.

The 19th Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup presented by ABC Tile Adhesive will be broadcasted live and free on PusoP.com.

La Salle, UP, NU, UST complete NSAC 2026 quarterfinal field

c/o AsiaBasket

De La Salle University, University of the Philippines, National University, and University of Santo Tomas completed the quarterfinal cast of the NSAC 2026 College Basketball Campus Tour after securing Round of 16 wins Sunday at the UP Varsity Training Center in Quezon City.

In a clash of sister schools, La Salle, the No. 2 seed from Group D, stretched its streak to three with a 76-66 win over Group A’s No. 3 seed De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde.

The victory sends the UAAP Season 88 champions into a quarterfinal matchup against the Tamaraws.

The Green Archers turned a deadlock into a double-digit cushion late in the fourth quarter, with JC Macalalag breaking the 66-all tie on a layup and a jumper before Mason Amos drilled a triple for a 74-66 edge.

Macalalag then iced the game from the free throw line, stretching La Salle’s lead to 10. Benilde came up empty in the closing possessions as the Green Archers wrapped up the 76-66 victory.

Luis Pablo led all scorers with 16 points on 77.8 percent shooting from the field, 13 rebounds and three assists, while Macalalag backed him up with 13 points along with three rebounds.

Allen Liwag tallied 16 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists for the Blazers, who will face the Golden Stags in the classification round.

Later on, Group A leader UP continued its unbeaten run with an 87-60 victory against Group D fourth seed Adamson University on its home court.

UP pulled away for good in the final quarter, stretching a 15-point lead to as many as 28 behind a balanced attack from Veejay Pre, Sean Alter, Arvie Poyos and LA Andres. Adamson tried to keep pace through triples from Noah Pacquiao and baskets from Mahathir Edding and Zaheer Sajili, but the Fighting Maroons continued to force turnovers and convert in transition.

UP capped the 87-60 rout with a late layup from Miguel Yñiguez, while Poyos came up with back-to-back steals in the closing seconds.

Pre delivered a game-high 27 points on 92.3 percent shooting from the field, along with eight rebounds and two assists, while Alter added 15 points on 77.8 percent shooting and eight rebounds. On the other side, Adamson’s Precious Jonah posted 13 points and five rebounds.

The Soaring Falcons are set to battle the Chiefs in the classification round.

Booking a quarterfinal meeting with the Fighting Maroons, Group B second seed NU knocked off Group C third seed Arellano University, 87-76.

NU turned back Arellano’s late push in the fourth quarter, rebuilding a 20-point cushion, 77-57, behind Reinhard Jumamoy’s triple and Paul Francisco’s steady inside presence. The Chiefs trimmed it to 11 late behind T-Mc Ongotan and Rayjohn Ladica, but the Bulldogs answered with key baskets from John Vincent Reyes and Francisco to close out the 87-76 win.

PJ Palacielo paced all scorers with 18 points on top of six rebounds, while Justine Garcia contributed 11 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.

For Arellano, Ongotan tallied 20 points, 10 rebounds, and eight steals, with Renzo Abiera adding 12 points in the defeat.

Meanwhile, Group B top seed UST stayed perfect, routing Group C fourth seed St. Clare College of Caloocan, 87-55, to earn a quarterfinal date with Ateneo de Manila University.

UAAP Season 88 Rookie of the Year Collins Akowe made his tournament debut for the Growling Tigers and finished with 21 points and eight rebounds. Mark Llemit added 17 points on 87.5 percent shooting with seven rebounds.

Megan Galang led St. Clare with 16 points, while Babacar Nndong also made his first appearance and posted 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Quarterfinal action takes place on May 23 at the Villavicencio Court at the Enrique M. Razon Sports Complex, De La Salle University, Manila, while the classification round schedule will be announced at a later date.

Three newcomers build optimism heading into Filoil Preseason

NEW beginnings start at the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

And it's much the truth for three of collegiate basketball's newest shot-callers as they kickstart their preparations for their mother leagues in the 19th staging of the famed preseason league.

Chito Victolero, Jamike Jarin, and Tony Tan are all seeking to get their programs off and running as they get a first hand look at the competition they're about to brace for.

Victolero is actually returning to his alma mater Mapua after previously calling the shots from 2009 to 2012.

Times, though have changed, from Victolero's resume now adding a PBA champion coach to his name when he steered Magnolia to the Governors' Cup crown back in 2018, to the Cardinals reeling from a season where they got dethroned.

Without main man Clint Escamis, Mapua will now rely on holdovers MC Cuenco, Cyrus Nitura, Ivan Lazarte, and Yam Concepcion.

Jarin, on the other hand, is also making a comeback to the collegiate scene with Lyceum of the Philippines U.

His task, however, is shaping up to be an enormous one as the Pirates hope to rekindle the level of success he's had in the past, most notably when he led San Beda to the NCAA title in 2016.

And LPU means business in achieving that, with Mclaude Guadana returning to the team as he joins homegrown guards Matt Rubico and Greg Cunanan in this year's campaign.

Tony Tan, meanwhile, will be San Sebastian's fourth coach in as many years, with the once proud program hoping that this finally will be the right reboot for the team.

The Fil-Canadian coach is coming in with a lot of promise, one that is badly needed by the Golden Stags which have been in the league's cellar for the past three years.

San Sebastian is banking on new blood led by rookie Carlo Ynot and holdovers Polo Gabat and Christian Ricio for this rebuild as it hopes to erase the bitter memories of last year's winless run in the preseason.