UST emerged as one of the standout teams on day two of the NBA Rising Stars Invitational, turning heads in Singapore as the Filipino squad showcased the talent and competitiveness of Philippine basketball against some of Asia’s top school programs.

With the race for the semifinals heating up, UST’s strong showing not only boosted its standing in the tournament but also reinforced the Philippines’ reputation as one of the region’s basketball powerhouses. The day offered even more inspiration for the young athletes involved, with NBA and WNBA legends Mitch Richmond and Lauren Jackson sharing their experience and advice with participants and fans alike.

UST Makes Its Presence Felt

As elite school teams from across Asia gathered at Singapore’s OCBC Arena, UST established itself as one of the day’s most impressive performers.

Competing against some of the region’s top young talent, the Filipino squad displayed the skill, discipline and competitiveness that have long made basketball one of the Philippines’ most beloved sports. Their performance helped put Philippine basketball firmly in the spotlight as the tournament edged closer to its knockout rounds.

UST’s emergence as one of the standout teams comes at a crucial stage of the competition, with every result carrying added significance as teams battle for places in the semifinals.

For Filipino basketball fans, the team’s display served as another reminder that local talent can compete with the best school programs from across Asia when given the opportunity on an international stage.

Learning From Basketball Royalty

The action extended beyond the court as players were given a unique opportunity to learn from some of basketball’s most accomplished figures.

WNBA champion Lauren Jackson met with fans and participants during a series of engagements at the Fan Zone in Kallang Wave Mall, while NBA champion Mitch Richmond spent time with coaches from the junior teams, offering advice and sharing lessons from his professional career.

For young athletes such as those representing UST, the chance to interact with basketball legends provided valuable insight that extended beyond the competition itself.

The Houston Rockets Hype Squad Anti-Gravity also entertained fans throughout the day, helping create a festival atmosphere around one of the region’s premier youth basketball events.

Tournament Race Intensifies

While UST continued to attract attention, the tournament delivered more drama across both the girls’ and boys’ divisions.

In the girls’ competition, Yali High School secured its second victory of the tournament to book a place in the semifinals.

The final game of the evening saw Yangming High School pull away after halftime to defeat Watnoinoppakhun School 97-49, setting up a decisive showdown with Gwangju Speer Girls’ High School for a place in the semifinals.

In the boys’ division, Jubilee High School strengthened its hopes of advancing from Pool A with a victory over The Velammal International School. Several semifinal spots remain up for grabs, with decisive matchups scheduled for Thursday.

As the tournament enters a critical phase, UST’s impressive performance has ensured Philippine basketball remains firmly in the conversation. With Filipino talent continuing to shine against international opposition and opportunities to learn from NBA and WNBA greats, the event has provided a valuable showcase for the next generation of players.

The action resumes Thursday, with games beginning at 11:15 a.m. on Courts 1 and 3 at the OCBC Arena. Fans can also head to the Fan Zone at Kallang Wave Mall for meet-and-greets with Orlando Magic mascot Stuff and Taiwanese band Cosmic Angels.