Filipino basketball star Dwight Ramos joins B.League executive officer Nao Okamoto in announcing the B.League Manila games on May 21, 2026. Kennedy Caacbay, ABS-CBN News
MANILA – As the Japan B.League brings its first-ever overseas pre-season games to Manila, officials vow to bring more than just their brand of basketball to the Philippines.
The country will host the B.League Manila Games in September, featuring a pair of games between Levanga Hokkaido and the Gunma Crane Thunders.
Filipino cagers Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu are expected to suit up for their respective teams, Levanga and Gunma, in the overseas games.
B.League Executive Officer Nao Okamoto said they are looking forward to bringing both Japanese basketball and culture to Manila.
READ: Japan B.League to hold first overseas games in Manila
"Our uniqueness is the kind of entertainment part [during games]. In between halftime, even in the quarter break, we're trying to bring entertainment 24/7. So [it's] nonstop. So we're trying to bring it, try to bring the same thing from Japan. But yeah, I think that could be the uniqueness for the B.League," he told ABS-CBN News in a one-on-one interview on Thursday.
"We want to show what the B.League is, not only for the quality of players, not only for the quality of basketball, but quality of entertainment could be another aspect for us to show," Okamoto explained.
Ramos earlier said he is excited to give Filipino hoop fans a glimpse of what games are like in Japan, while giving his fellow B.League players a chance to experience the Pinoy passion for basketball.
The Levanga star likewise said he is hopeful that fans, not just from the Philippines but also from Japan and beyond, will pack the arena during the B.League Manila games.
Ramos said the upcoming overseas fixtures are a good way to showcase the passion and support of Filipino hoop fans.
The B.League Manila games coincide with the celebration of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.
Okamoto said they are grateful to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) for their support in bringing the games to Manila.
"We really respect the PBA, you know, the history, you know, the mindset, you know, love to basketball. We are still new. We have so many things to learn from the PBA," the B.League official said.
"Well, we are always talking to PBA and SBP. This is the biggest event ever for us to do it in Manila. But even before we did the final week, we have a pop up event, food festival, so many different kinds of events we did... Like I said, since we are just a local foreign league. We make it important [is] how to contribute to the community," he added.
The B.League Manila games are scheduled from September 9 to 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.