TOKYO – Japan’s Tokai University and the Philippines’ Ateneo de Manila University are among the four top college basketball teams in Asia that will compete in the first edition of Sun Chlorella’s World University Basketball Series (WUBS) to be held at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium from Aug. 9 to 11.
Hosted by the All Japan University Basketball Federation (JUBF) and supported by Rakuten Sports, the first edition of WUBS is an invitation-only event wherein teams will compete in a series of six round-robin games over three days to claim the series championship.
“It is my great hope that through WUBS, university basketball will continue to grow and reach greater heights in each country and region and that many deep and lasting friendships will be formed among participants. We hope that fans from across the basketball community will come to the venue and cheer on the teams,” Naoki Hayashi, JUBF Chairman and President of the WUBS Organizing Committee, said.
Aside from Tokai University and Ateneo de Manila University, also set to participate are the Pelita Harapan University of Indonesia and Taiwan’s National Chengchi University.
Akira Rikukawa, the head coach of Tokai University, is thankful to the organizers for inviting their team to the competition.
“I am determined to do my best to live up to the name of the All Japan University Basketball Federation, which has recommended us. I sincerely hope that this tournament will contribute to the development and friendship of university basketball in Asia and around the world,” he commented.
Ateneo de Manila University Head Coach Tab Baldwin, on the other hand, is excited and proud to be a university selected by WUBS to represent the Philippines in the prestigious event.
“We believe that the quality of competition and the excellent organization that is always present in Japan will make this event a significant element in our preparation for the upcoming UAAP. The opportunity to experience international competition as well as the cultural experience in Japan will be priceless for our student athletes,” he said.
Basketball fans can purchase tickets on the WUBS official site: https://wubseries.com/ - Florenda Corpuz
