Ateneo set to defend World University Basketball Series title

Ateneo de Manila University is set to defend its championship title in the World University Basketball Series in Japan.

The Blue Eagles will be one of the eight teams from different countries to compete in the tournament, which will be held from August 10 to 13 in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Head coach Tab Baldwin said it will be an honor not only to represent Ateneo, but also the country when they play there. This is on top of developing their players as they prepare for the next season of the UAAP.

"As I say when people ask me about the UAAP crown, we are not really defending anything," said Baldwin, a New Zealand Basketball Hall of Famer. "We have to go there for the dual purpose of playing our hearts out in representing the school and the country, but we also need to ensure the development of our team, system, and combinations for the UAAP."

"Anytime we are in the off-season, we also have that dual purpose, and it includes winning. We have to make it a habit, and it starts with the preseason," he added.

From four teams last year, the teams will double to eight, with Ateneo, Japan's Tokai University and Chinese Taipei's National Chengchi University making a return to the league.

Other competitors include USA's Radford University (NCAA Division I), Japan's Hakuoh University, Australia's University of Sydney, Korea University, and Indonesia's Perbanas Institute.

Ateneo will also have an exhibition game against the All Japan University Basketball Federation before they head to competition proper.

The Blue Eagles took the crown in 2022 with Kai Balungay being named as the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/MGP, GMA Integrated News