Asiabasket Launches NSAC World Invitational with PSC, SBP Partnership

MANILA, Philippines — Asiabasket is set to elevate Philippine collegiate basketball onto the international stage with the inaugural NSAC World Invitational, an eight-team tournament featuring some of the country's top university programs alongside elite collegiate teams from across the Asia-Pacific region.

Organized by Asiabasket in partnership with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP), the tournament will be held from August 14 to 16, 2026. The event marks another milestone in Asiabasket's mission to expand opportunities for Filipino student-athletes through high-level international competition.

Representing the Philippines are four of the country's premier collegiate programs: the University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers, San Beda University Red Lions, Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers, and Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

Completing the field are four international teams: Fighting Eagles Nagoya and Tenri University of Japan, Elite Stacks AUS of Australia, and National Formosa University of Taiwan.

"The NSAC World Invitational reflects our vision of bringing Philippine collegiate basketball to the global stage," said Jai Reyes, Founder and CEO of Asiabasket. "We want to provide our student-athletes with the opportunity to compete against quality international programs while showcasing the talent, passion, and competitiveness of Philippine basketball to a wider audience."

Reyes also thanked the PSC and SBP for their support in making the tournament possible.

"We are truly grateful to the PSC and SBP for believing in this vision and partnering with us for the NSAC World Invitational," he said. "Together, we are creating more opportunities for Filipino student-athletes to compete internationally while continuing to raise the standard of collegiate basketball in the Philippines."

The tournament will feature a knockout format with classification games, guaranteeing each team three games over the three-day event. Quarterfinal matches are scheduled for August 14, followed by the semifinals and classification games on August 15, before the championship and placement games conclude the tournament on August 16.

Beyond the competition, the NSAC World Invitational aims to strengthen basketball ties across the Asia-Pacific region while giving Filipino fans the chance to watch high-level international collegiate basketball on home soil.

The event also builds on the success of the National Student Athletes Championship (NSAC), Asiabasket's flagship collegiate tournament, as the organization continues to create pathways for student-athletes and position Philippine collegiate basketball as an emerging force in the region.

Additional details, including the tournament venue, ticket information, game schedule, and broadcast plans, will be announced in the coming weeks.