The was a two-game basketball exhibition event by the B.League of Japan. It was held on 9 and 10 September 2026 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Metro Manila.
Held in the Philippines, the series is the first ever games between two teams of the B.League outside Japan. The Gunma Crane Thunders won both games against the Levanga Hokkaido.
Background The B.League Manila Games 2026 was first announced on 21 May 2026 in a press conference at the SM Megamall in Mandaluyong by officials of the Japan B.League. The venture is supported by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas and the Philippine Basketball Association, with support from the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines.
The Levanga Hokkaido and Gunma Crane Thunders were to play two games against each other on 9 and 10 September 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Both teams were selected for having Philippine national team players in their roster; Dwight Ramos for Levanga and A. J. Edu for the Crane Thunders. The Philippines is a popular overseas market, with the basketball organization citing a June 2025 survey that the B.League garnering 65.5 percent recognition in the Philippines.
This was the first time two clubs of the B.League played in games outside Japan with the sanction of the league management.
The games were held in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship of the normalization of the Japan–Philippines relations and the 10th anniversary of the B.League.
Games will be streamed in Japan through the B.League's YouTube channel.
Venue Pasay, Philippines SM Mall of Asia Arena Capacity: 15,000
Games The Levanga Hokkaido and Gunma Crane Thunders played against each other twice on 9 and 10 September 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. Tip-off for both games were scheduled at 19:00 (UTC+8).
Rosters
Levanga Hokkaido
Gunma Crane Thunders
References
External links