Basketball fever has officially taken over the Mega Fashion Hall at SM Megamall! The B.LEAGUE FINAL WEEK in MANILA 2026 officially kicked off on Thursday, May 21, and it brought much more than just intense hoops energy. To celebrate its historic 10th anniversary milestone, the league dropped an absolute bombshell of an announcement that has the local basketball community buzzing: the top-tier Japanese league is bringing its signature action live to the Philippines for the first-ever MANILA GAMES 2026 this coming September!
Day 1 set the bar high with an official opening press conference led by B.LEAGUE Executive Officer Naoya Okamoto and Gilas Pilipinas superstar Dwight Ramos.
The Main Event: “Two Nations, One Beat” Hits Manila this September
Filipino hoops fans won’t just be watching from screens anymore. Backed by the support of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the B.LEAGUE will host two premier preseason games on September 9 and 10, 2026, at the iconic SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The showcase will feature a highly anticipated, soul-stirring showdown between Levanga Hokkaido and the Gunma Crane Thunders. This isn’t just an ordinary friendly match—it’s a head-to-head battle highlighting incredible local subplots, putting Gilas teammates Dwight Ramos and AJ Edu on opposite sides of the hardwood.
Pro-Tip for Fans: Set your calendar alarms! Ticket sales are officially expected to drop by mid-June.
2026 Season Finale & Team Standings
The excitement in Manila perfectly mirrors the absolute madness happening back in Japan. The 2025–26 B1 League regular season wrapped up an unforgettable 60-game run, paving the way for a legacy-defining postseason.
Here is how the top of the pack looked at the end of the regular season:
| Position | Team | Record (W-L) | Status |
| 1 | Nagasaki Velca | 47–13 | Regular Season Champions / Finalist |
| 2 | Utsunomiya Brex | 45–15 | Playoff Contender |
| 3 | SeaHorses Mikawa | 43–17 | Playoff Contender |
| 4 | Gunma Crane Thunders | 42–18 | Playoff Contender / Coming to Manila! |
| 5 | Chiba Jets Funabashi | 42–18 | Playoff Contender |
| 6 | Ryukyu Golden Kings | 42–18 | Defending Powerhouse / Finalist |
The 2026 Finals Showdown
The playoffs have delivered absolute cinematic drama. Nagasaki Velca completely dominated their side of the bracket, executing flawless back-to-back sweeps over heavyweights Alvark Tokyo and Chiba Jets to punch their first-ever Finals ticket.
On the other side stands the ultimate dynasty: the Ryukyu Golden Kings, advancing to the B.LEAGUE Finals for a staggering fifth consecutive year after dispatching Nagoya in the semis. The best-of-three ultimate championship series officially tips off this weekend at the Yokohama Arena!
A League of Global Icons & Pinoy Pride
In just a decade, the B.LEAGUE has evolved into a global powerhouse, attracting elite international talent while serving as a secondary home for the absolute best of Philippine basketball.
World-Renowned Icons in the League
The league’s talent pool has reached an astronomical level, featured by massive global signings:
- Yuta Watanabe (Chiba Jets): The Japanese icon returned home from the NBA in the biggest domestic signing in history, instantly transforming the Jets into an elite draw.
- Stanley Johnson (Nagasaki Velca): The former 8th overall NBA draft pick brought elite lockdown defense and versatility straight to the regular-season champions.
- Sekou Doumbouya (Koshigaya Alphas): The former Detroit Pistons first-round pick has been reinventing his game as a dominant force in Japan.
Filipinos Currently Repping the Flag
The Pinoy connection is stronger than ever. Here is where your favorite local stars spent their 2025–26 campaigns:
- Dwight Ramos – Levanga Hokkaido
- AJ Edu – Gunma Crane Thunders
- Bobby Ray Parks Jr. – Osaka Evessa
- Kiefer Ravena – Yokohama B-Corsairs
- Kai Sotto – Koshigaya Alphas
- Quentin Millora-Brown – Chiba Jets
- Francis Lopez – Fighting Eagles Nagoya
The Manila Festivities Aren’t Done Yet!
If you’re in the metro, the Final Week fan experience at SM Megamall is just heating up. Day 1 already featured Bobby Ray Parks Jr. bringing some serious star power to the court, headlining the competitive B.Hope ASIA 1on1 CHALLENGE 2026 supported by Meiji.
Here is what you can catch live through the rest of the weekend:
- May 22: YANMAR HANASAKA B.Hope ASIA 3×3 CHALLENGE 2026 in Manila
- May 23: B.LEAGUE FINALS Viewing Party Game 1 & B.Hope ASIA Jr. CLINIC 2026 supported by Toyota
- May 24: B.LEAGUE FINALS Viewing Party Game 2 & B.Hope ASIA Jr. CLINIC 2026 supported by NISSEI
Make sure to give a follow to the newly launched B.LEAGUE Philippines official pages on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok so you don’t miss any critical September ticket alerts.
The B.LEAGUE FINAL WEEK in MANILA 2026 is proudly brought to you by TOYOTA, NISSEI, YANMAR, Meiji, JCB, EPSON, MOLTEN, and PGA SOMPO.
- Ka-panda Riders Cash In on PHP 62 Million foodpanda Incentive Boost - May 23, 2026
- Brother Philippines Makes ‘boss era’ Possible for Pinoys with Launch of Innovative Embroidery Machine - May 23, 2026
- Japan’s B.LEAGUE Celebrates 10 Years by Bringing the Party—and Major Game Action—to Manila! - May 22, 2026
Leave a Reply