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The UST Growling Tigers and Fighting Eagles Nagoya booked their spots in the championship game of the 2026 NSAC World Invitational, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), following semifinal victories Saturday at the PhilSports Arena.
In partnership with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the three-day international tournament features collegiate programs from the Philippines, Japan, Taiwan and Australia, along with Nagoya, the tournament's lone professional team.
UST survived a thrilling double-overtime battle against JRU, 97-92, while Nagoya defeated San Beda, 77-66, to set up a Philippines-Japan showdown for the championship on Sunday.
Akowe powers UST past JRU in Double Overtime
The highly anticipated matchup between two recent Philippine preseason champions lived up to its billing as UST and JRU needed two overtime periods to determine a winner.
UST ultimately prevailed, 97-92, behind a dominant performance from Collins Akowe, who finished with 33 points and 22 rebounds.
The Growling Tigers and Heavy Bombers were tied after regulation before continuing their battle through two extra periods. UST finally created enough separation in the second overtime to secure its place in the championship game.
Amiel Acido added 17 points for UST, while Landyn Jumawan contributed 15 and Kirk Cañete scored 10.
Lawrence Mangubat led JRU with 26 points, while Chris Hubilla recorded 16. Sean Salvador and Allen Laurenaria chipped in 10 points apiece.
Nagoya Ends San Beda's Title Bid
Fighting Eagles Nagoya, the lone professional club in the field, secured the other championship berth with a 77-66 victory over San Beda.
Nagoya established control early, taking a 22-17 lead after the opening quarter and extending it to 45-35 at halftime. The Red Lions cut into the deficit in the third, but the Japanese B.League club responded with a 19-point fourth quarter to close out the win.
Tres Tinkle led Nagoya with 23 points, while Ryuto Yasuoka added 12.
Filipino-Angolan forward Francis Lopez recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, while Nelson Phillips also scored 11.
Dan Marcelo paced San Beda with 16 points, with Zedjay Etulle adding 10.
The result sends Nagoya, a former B2 champion now competing in Japan's B1, into the final against a UST program that entered the World Invitational as the reigning NSAC champion. San Beda, meanwhile, exits the championship race after another international test for one of the NCAA's most successful collegiate basketball programs.
Tenri, Formosa pick up classification wins
Earlier in the day, Tenri University bounced back from its opening-day loss with an 80-63 victory over Elite Stacks AUS.
Jerry Williams led the Japanese collegiate side with 21 points, while Hiroto Hashiguchi scored 15 and Toraji Morimoto added 14. Akok Machar paced Elite Stacks with 19 points.
National Formosa University also responded from its Day 1 defeat by beating FEU, 97-79.
Justinmiles Hawkins led the Taiwanese side with 24 points, Hansheng Yang finished with 22 and Jimmycami Lohembe added 15. Jedric Daa led FEU with 23 points, while Montell Shelton had 16 points and 12 rebounds.
The victories moved Tenri and National Formosa University forward in the classification side of the tournament, while Elite Stacks and FEU will complete their World Invitational campaigns on the final day.
The 2026 NSAC World Invitational concludes Sunday, August 16, at the PhilSports Arena, highlighted by the championship showdown between UST and Fighting Eagles Nagoya.
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