TOKAI University, one of the top collegiate basketball programs in Japan, is set to arrive in the Philippines and play against some of the best local college teams, including UAAP semifinalist University of Santo Tomas, in the Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup Series.
The Seagulls will be coming over with a core composed of three players from the B.League in Todoroki Rui, Togaeri Shori, and Sato Yu, also a member of Japan’s 21-under national team.
Tokai has produced quite a few players for the Akatsuki Five, most notably Yuki Kawamura, who previously suited up for the Memphis Grizzlies and is currently with the Chicago Bulls.
Another ex-Seagull who suited up for national team is point guard Takuya Nakamaya, currently a member of the Akita Northern Happinets in the B.League.
Tokai test
Pinoyliga Cup director Benny Benitez said bringing in a high-caliber international college team provides NCAA and UAAP squads the opportunity to raise their level of competition.
Just recently, Pinoyliga took the initiative of inviting two of the best colleges from South Korea in Korea University and Sangmyung University during the Asian Window of the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup. The two Korean teams played St. Benilde and St. Claire College, respectively.
Owing to time constraints, Tokai will play for three days straight before going back to Japan on Monday.
Event organizer Prime Edge - one of the top sports marketing agencies in the country which owns the Pinoyliga franchise - has invited three local teams to play in the Global Invitational Cup Series, with the Growling Tigers and Jose Rizal University already named.
Terms are still being finalized for a third local team to complete the four-team mini-tournament.
“We all know that UST is one of the top teams in the UAAP following a Final Four stint in the last UAAP and they are gearing up for another semifinals run this year, while the JRU Heavy Bombers, with their recent build-up for the NCAA, is a very solid team this year,” said Benitez.
The games for the Pinoyliga Global Invitationals are set at the Enderun Colleges Gym in Taguig.
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