Fighting Eagles Nagoya claim inaugural NSAC World Invitational crown

c/o AsiaBasket

Fighting Eagles Nagoya completed its run in the Philippines by capturing the 2026 NSAC World Invitational, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC),championship following a thrilling 92-91 victory over the UST Growling Tigers on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena.

Francis Lopez capped Nagoya's championship run by earning Finals MVP honors after finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in the title game.

Tres Tinkle led the Fighting Eagles with 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting, while Nelson Phillips added 16 points and five rebounds.

UST, which captured the NSAC College Basketball Campus Tour championship in May, was led by Collins Akowe and Landyn Jumawan with 20 points apiece. Akowe also grabbed 12 rebounds, while Jumawan finished with seven rebounds and five assists. Amiel Acido contributed 18 points and eight assists.

Despite falling just short of a second NSAC championship, Akowe was named Tournament MVP and also earned a spot in the Mythical Five.

Joining Akowe in the Mythical Five were National Formosa University's Justinmiles Hawkins, Nagoya's Tres Tinkle, Tenri University's Jeremiah Williams, and JRU's Lawrence Mangubat.

San Beda Wins Third Place

San Beda secured third place after surviving JRU, 70-69, in another tightly contested game.

Aldous Torculas paced the Red Lions with 15 points, while Jimmy Reyes added 12. JRU, who played without Mangubat, Chris Hubilla, and Allen Laurenaria, was led by Jhun Peñaverde with 18 points, while Sean Salvador contributed 16.

National Formosa University finished fifth following an 80-75 victory over Tenri University.

Hawkins posted 22 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists for Formosa, while Jayden Jones led the team in scoring with 25 points to go with five rebounds and seven assists.

Williams, meanwhile, finished with 16 points and 14 rebounds for Tenri, while Ota Uemura scored 17.

FEU closed its campaign in seventh place after defeating Elite Stacks AUS, 87-72. Mohamed Konateh led the Tamaraws with 25 points on 12-of-16 shooting, while Cabs Cabonilas added 17 points and Janrey Pasaol chipped in 13.

The results brought the three-day NSAC World Invitational to a close, with teams from the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan competing alongside Australian selection Elite Stacks AUS at the PhilSports Arena.

The tournament was in partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) and
co-presented by ANTA Philippines.