Philstar.com
September 8, 2025 | 2:21pm
MANILA, Philippines — The potential for seeing extra Filipino basketball gamers in Japan’s skilled league is gaining traction after officers of the Saga Ballooners, one of many pioneering Division 1 groups within the Japanese B.League, visited Manila to discover alternatives for cooperation.
The delegation, led by group president Mr. Okano, toured the amenities on the Rizal Memorial Sports activities Complicated and paid a courtesy name to Philippine Sports activities Fee (PSC) Commissioners Fritz Gaston and Olivia “Bong” Coo. Their go to was made potential by way of the invitation of Otsuka Philippines, the maker of Pocari Sweat, the official hydrating drink of Workforce Philippines because the 2019 Southeast Asian Video games.
Okano emphasised that Saga has lengthy admired the fervour and talent of Filipino gamers.
“We’re right here to see how we will discover a basketball improvement program for Saga Prefecture and the Philippines,” he mentioned. “We all know how nice Filipino basketball gamers are, and we imagine that lots of them have the potential to achieve Japan.”
The delegation additionally included common supervisor Coach Mizumachi, sponsor Mr. Mizugami, Otsuka Japan common supervisor Mr. Hiroo Goto, King of Automobile president Funaki Shib, supervisor Junpei Yamano, and Otsuka Philippines president Ken Saito.
Saito mentioned the go to was greater than a courtesy — it was a primary step towards formalizing a collaboration that might profit gamers from each side.
“A number of Filipinos at the moment are enjoying within the Japanese League, they usually have made a robust impression,” he mentioned. “That’s why Saga is searching for a partnership with the PSC to strengthen the connection between our nations. Hopefully, it will open a window of alternatives for much more Filipino gamers to ply their commerce in Japan.”
The Ballooners at present characteristic Allen Durham, a former PBA Greatest Import, as their prime import. His success has additional fueled the idea that Filipinos can thrive in Japan’s extremely aggressive league.
Trying forward, officers outlined concrete plans to convey the collaboration to life.
“A part of the plan is an trade program, the place Filipino gamers can go to Saga to conduct basketball clinics and camps, and vice versa,” Saito revealed. “It’s not nearly competitors, but additionally about cultural trade and studying from one another’s techniques.”
For the PSC, the go to highlights the rising recognition of Filipino expertise overseas. Commissioner Fritz Gaston, himself a former skilled participant, expressed optimism.
“Filipinos are identified worldwide for his or her basketball ardour. This sort of initiative exhibits that different nations are starting to see the depth of our expertise pool. It’s encouraging for our younger athletes,” Gaston mentioned.
In the meantime, Commissioner Coo famous the broader affect such partnerships can have.
“Alternatives like this may encourage the subsequent era,” she mentioned. “It exhibits that basketball is not only an area dream — it may well additionally open worldwide doorways for our gamers.”
The collaboration may lengthen past the courtroom as effectively. Pocari Sweat officers introduced that the PSC has been invited to go to Saga this October throughout the internet hosting of the Asian basketball championships, the place discussions are anticipated to proceed.
Saito concluded with confidence that the groundwork being laid in Manila will quickly yield outcomes.
“That is only the start,” he mentioned. “We see the Philippines as a companion, not simply in basketball however in constructing bridges between our communities. And basketball, being such a beloved sport in each our nations, is the proper solution to begin.”