MANILA—For the first time in nearly a year, the PhilSports Arena in Pasig will host some big-time basketball action again as Asiabasket chose the said venue for the National Student Athlete Championship World Invitational.
Supposed to be primarily for non-basketball stuff now, especially futsal, the Jai Reyes-led group convinced the Philippine Sports Commission to bring the 10-foot rims back to the place formerly known as "The ULTRA" for the three-day tourney from Aug. 14-16.
"Nagkataon na sa dami ng events sa ULTRA, vacant yung ULTRA, and it aligns with the goal of the PSC in terms of uplifting the level of basketball play here in the Philippines," Reyes said during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum on Tuesday at the PSC Media Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
The former UAAP star then thanked the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas, whose 3x3 director Ryan Gregorio is the brother of PSC chairman Pato, for helping Asiabasket in pitching the idea of hosting the NSAC World Invitational at the PhilSports Arena to the PSC.
"Malaking thank you talaga sa SBP because the SBP is the NSA for basketball, and they work closely together with the PSC," Reyes further said.
University of Santo Tomas, Far Eastern University, Jose Rizal University, and San Beda will represent the Philippines in the NSAC World Invitational.
Headlining the guest teams are the Fighting Eagles Nagoya of the Japan B.League One, led by Francis Lopez, Tenri University also from Japan, Elite Stacks of Australia, and National Formosa University of Taiwan.
In a format similar to the US NCAA Tournament, the competing teams will play four knockout quarterifnals on Aug. 14.
The winning teams will then play in the main semifinals on Aug. 15, with the other teams relegated to the lower bracket.
The final day on Aug. 16 will see four ranking games, headlined by the tournament final.
The format assures that all the eight teams will play three games each.
Reyes hopes that the success of the NSAC World Invitational will spearhead more basketball events at the PhilSports Arena.
"The PSC is very open not just for Asiabasket but also to all the other tournaments if they align with their goals, they're sustainable, and they're feasible. Of course, the SBP and the PSC will support everything para sa growth in Philippine sports," he further said.
