NSAC World Invitational semifinals on tap

c/o Asiabasket

Four teams remain in contention for the inaugural NSAC World Invitational crown, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), as University of Santo Tomas battles Jose Rizal University and San Beda University takes on Japan’s Fighting Eagles Nagoya being the last four teams standing at the PhilSports Arena.

In partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), Day 2 will feature two classification games before the semifinalists compete in the afternoon for spots in Sunday’s championship game.

UST booked its place in the semifinals with an 88-65 victory over Tenri University, while JRU advanced after holding off Australia’s Elite Stacks, 71-66.

The matchup pits two schools fresh from recent preseason collegiate action, with the Growling Tigers coming off its NSAC championship and the Heavy Bombers entering the World Invitational after winning the 2026 Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.

On the other side of the bracket, San Beda earned its semifinal berth with a 78-65 victory over Taiwan’s National Formosa University.

The Red Lions will face Fighting Eagles Nagoya, the only professional team in the tournament, after the Japanese B.ONE club defeated FEU, 97-87, in its opening game.

The matchup brings together two programs with championship pedigree at different levels of the game. San Beda is one of the most successful collegiate basketball programs in the Philippines, with a record 24 NCAA men's basketball championships.

Nagoya, on the other hand, won the B.League Division 2 championship in 2022, and is set to compete in Japan's second division.

The winners between UST-JRU and San Beda-Nagoya will advance to Sunday’s championship game, while the losing teams will meet for third place.

In addition, Day 2 of the NSAC World Invitational will begin with the classification matches, where Elite Stacks AUS faces Tenri University and FEU takes on National Formosa University. The winners will advance to the fifth-place game, while the losing teams will meet for seventh place on Sunday.