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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Japan's Tokai University faces tough competition in Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup Series

Japan's Tokai University faces tough competition in Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup Series

Published Feb 17, 2026 05:56 pm

At A Glance

  • Tokai University, one of the top collegiate basketball programs in Japan, is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, Feb. 19, to play against some of the best local college squads this week in the Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup Series.
Nathan Victoria of College of St. Benilde tries to evade the defense of Seok Jun Hwi of Korea University during the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup “Asian Window” recently at the Enderun Colleges gym in Taguig City. (Pinoyliga Photo)
Nathan Victoria of College of St. Benilde tries to evade the defense of Seok Jun Hwi of Korea University during the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup “Asian Window” recently at the Enderun Colleges gym in Taguig City. (Pinoyliga Photo)
Tokai University, one of the top collegiate basketball programs in Japan, is scheduled to arrive on Thursday, Feb. 19, to play against some of the best local college squads this week in the Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup Series.
Known by its moniker the Seagulls, Tokai has produced some of Japan’s national team members, most notably Yuki Kawamura, who has played for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2024 to 2025, and is currently with the Chicago Bulls.
Another former basketball player from Tokai University who suited up for the Japan national team is point guard Takuya Nakamaya, currently a member of the Akita Northern Happinets in the B. League in Japan.
On its current roster, three players are with the B. League, Todoroki Rui, Togaeri Shori and Sato Yu, who is also with Japan’s 21-and-under national team.
Pinoyliga Cup director Benny Benitez said that bringing in a high caliber college team provides local teams from both the NCAA and the UAAP, as well as schools from other local leagues, an opportunity to test their level of competition since Tokai University is one of the top teams in Japan.
Just recently, Pinoyliga took the initiative as it invited two of the best colleges from South Korea, Korea University and Sangmyung University during the Asian Window of the Pinoyliga Next Man Cup. The two teams played College of St. Benilde and St. Claire College.
“It’s another opportunity for us at Pinoyliga to bring a high caliber Asian college basketball team to the Tokai University Seagulls,” said Benitez. “They’ll be facing tough competitions in the Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup Series.
Because of time constraints since Tokai University will play for three days before they go back to Japan on Monday, event organizer Prime Edge - one of the top sports marketing agencies in the country which owns Pinoyliga - has only invited three local teams.
Benitez said that set to play in the Pinoyliga Global Invitational Cup Series are University of Santo Tomas and Jose Rizal University. Terms are still being finalized for a third local team to complete the four-team mini-tournament.
“We all know that UST is one of the top teams in the UAAP following a Final Four stint by the Tigers in the last UAAP and they are gearing up for another semifinals run this year, while the JRU Heavy Bombers - with their recent build up for the NCAA - is a very solid team this year,” said Benitez.
The games for the Pinoyliga Global Invitationals are set at the Enderun Colleges gym in Taguig City.
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