EXPECT tougher competition and fierce rivalries when the 2024 ANTA Asiabasket International Championship gets going with three international teams spicing up the competition starting on July 9 at Enderun Colleges.
Making up the 10-team field are UAAP teams National University, Adamson, and Far Eastern University, NCAA squads in San Beda, College of Saint Benilde and Mapua. and Phenom Blue Fire, which is made up college stars currently serving their residencies.
Rounding out the participants in the eight-day event are National Formosa University (NFU) from Taiwan, Persabi DKI Jakarta of Indonesia, and Lakas California of USA, marking a landmark feat for Asiabasket in its fourth tournament.
All eyes will be on defending NCAA champion San Beda with the Yuri Escueta-helmed squad parading the core of veteran Yukien Andrada, sophomore Nygel Gonzales, and Season 99 Finals MVP James Payosing as they look to seize another title.
The Blazers will be banking on the trio of Tony Ynot, Justin Sanchez, and Allen Liwag while the Cardinals will lean on reigning MVP Clint Escamis and rookies Lawrence Mangubat and Chris Hubilla.
The Bulldogs will be led by Steve Nash Enriquez, Reinhard Jumamoy, and Patrick Yu while Royce Alforque, Cholo Anonuevo, and rookie Veejay Pre will carry the fight for the rejuvenated Tamaraws.
Adamson, which fell just short of a semifinals appearance in the last UAAP season, will continue to get its offense from Monty Montebon and Cedrick Manzano.
The 10 teams will be divided into two groupsfor the single round-robin prelims. The top four teams will advance to the crossover quarterfinals.
NU, Benilde, Phenom Blue Fire, National Formosa University, and Lakas California are bunched in Group A while Adamson, San Beda, DKI Jakarta, FEU, and Mapua compose Group B.
The tournament, which is sponsored by ANTA, Wann Mann, King Chef, Enderun College, Smart Sports, Sundry Food Hall, HOOPJUNKIE , Banh Mi Kitchen, and Privato Hotels, will run from July 9 to July 16 with four games per day during the preliminaries while the quarterfinals will kick off on July 14, Sunday.
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