MANILA -- Three international teams will see action in the 2024 ANTA Asiabasket International Championship, which starts on Tuesday at the Enderun Colleges.
National Formosa University (NFU) from Taiwan, Persabi DKI Jakarta of Indonesia, and Lakas California of USA will join seven local teams in the eight-day contest.
The UAAP will be represented by the National University Bulldogs, the Adamson Soaring Falcons, and the Far Eastern University Tamaraws. Representing the NCAA are: the San Beda Red Lions, the College of St. Benilde Blazers, and the Mapua Cardinals.
Phenom Blue Fire, a team composed of collegiate stars currently serving their residency requirements, will also compete.
San Beda is seeking to defend its title, with coach Yuri Escueta parading a core composed of veteran Yukien Andrada, sophomore Nygel Gonzales, and Season 99 Finals MVP James Payosing.
The 10 teams will be classified into two groups of five and will figure in a single round robin format. The top four teams after the group stage from each group will advance to the crossover quarterfinals while the two lowest-ranked teams will be eliminated from contention.
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 runs from July 9 to July 16, with four games scheduled per day during the preliminaries. The quarterfinals are set on July 14, Sunday.