NEWS
NBA, Rakuten partner to bring Warriors, Wizards to Japan for 2 pre-season NBA games in 2022

March 15, 2022 3:13 p.m.
TOKYO AND NEW YORK — The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Rakuten Group, Inc. today announced that the Golden State Warriors and the Washington Wizards will play two preseason games in Japan in 2022.
The NBA Japan Games 2022 Presented by Rakuten will take place Friday, Sept. 30 and Sunday, Oct. 2 at Saitama Super Arena and will mark the league’s 15th and 16th games in the country.
The announcement was made today at a press conference in Tokyo by Rakuten Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Asia Managing Director Scott Levy. Silver and Levy participated via live video conference.
Tickets for the games will go on sale at a later date. Fans can register their interest in tickets and gain access to presale information here.
The six-time NBA champion Warriors currently feature two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry, five-time NBA All-Star Klay Thompson, and 2017 NBA Defensive Player of the Year and four-time NBA All-Star Draymond Green. The Wizards currently feature three-time NBA All-Star Bradley Beal, 2018 NBA All-Star Kristaps Porziņģis and 2020 NBA All-Rookie Second Team member Rui Hachimura, who in 2019 became the first Japanese player in league history to be selected in the first round of the NBA Draft. The Warriors and Wizards will both be making their first visits to Japan.
The NBA Japan Games 2022 Presented by Rakuten will livestream in Japan on the NBA Rakuten service and will reach fans in more than 200 countries and territories on television, digital media and social media. The games will also be supported by a roster of marketing and merchandising partners. Leading up to the games, the league and its partners will also conduct interactive fan activities, Jr. NBA programming and NBA Cares community outreach initiatives.
Between 1990 and 2003, the NBA staged 12 regular-season games in Japan in Saitama City, Tokyo and Yokohama. The matchup between the Phoenix Suns and the Utah Jazz in Tokyo on Nov. 2, 1990 marked the first regular-season game played outside of North America by a U.S. sports league. The NBA last played games in Japan in 2019, when Rakuten and the NBA partnered to bring the Houston Rockets and the 2019 NBA Champion Toronto Raptors to the country for two preseason games.
In 2017, the NBA and Rakuten announced a groundbreaking partnership that made Rakuten a global marketing partner of the NBA and the league’s exclusive live-game distribution partner in Japan. NBA Rakuten, the one-stop destination for fans in Japan to watch NBA games and programming, currently offers viewers exclusive access to the 2021-22 NBA season. Additionally, Rakuten operates the NBA Zone on Rakuten Ichiba, Japan’s leading e-commerce platform, which features select NBA and team merchandise. Rakuten is also an official partner of the Golden State Warriors, a relationship that began in 2017 when the Warriors welcomed Rakuten as the team’s first-ever jersey partner.
The NBA’s presence in Japan dates back more than 30 years. NBA games and programming have aired in Japan since the 1988-89 season, and officially licensed NBA merchandise is widely available at more than 700 retail stores across the country and through NBAStore.jp, the official online NBA store in Japan. In addition to live games, the league has conducted a number of events in Japan, including interactive fan events, NBA Cares community outreach initiatives, and in 2012 and 2019, Basketball Without Borders, the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program.
Executive Quotes:
Rakuten Chairman and CEO Mickey Mikitani:
“For nearly five years, our partnership with the NBA has united fans across Japan and contributed to the further growth of the global basketball community. Rakuten firmly believes in the power of sport to bring people and communities together, which is so essential in today’s global society. We are thrilled with this great opportunity to bring NBA games back to Japan, this time with the Golden State Warriors, our official partners, and the Washington Wizards.”
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:
“We are excited to once again bring preseason games to our fans in Japan. There is great momentum around NBA basketball in the country and we thank Mickey and Rakuten for their continued efforts to further grow the sport.”
NBA Asia Managing Director Scott Levy:
“Since 2017, Rakuten has brought the excitement of the NBA directly to fans in Japan through a variety of unique experiences, including as the league’s exclusive distribution partner. Through this latest chapter in our longstanding partnership, the NBA and Rakuten will offer Japanese fans the opportunity to witness a thrilling matchup between the Warriors and the Wizards in an event that promises to be a singular moment for Japanese basketball.”
Golden State Warriors CEO & Co-Executive Chairman Joe Lacob:
“We are extremely appreciative that the NBA has selected the Warriors and the Wizards, two franchises with illustrious histories in our league, to tip off the 2022 NBA preseason in Japan, home of some of the most incredibly passionate NBA fans in the world. During our four-plus year partnership with Rakuten, we’ve had the pleasure of building many impactful relationships throughout Japan, and some of our players, including Stephen Curry, have thoroughly enjoyed recent visits to Tokyo and the interactions they’ve shared with basketball fans who love the game. This unique bond with both our partners and our fans will continue to strengthen during the Japan Games, and we couldn’t be more excited and honored to experience the incredible Japanese culture as a group. This game truly unites all of us across the globe.”
Monumental Sports & Entertainment Founder & CEO Ted Leonsis:
“We are so honored to represent the NBA and the wonderful game of basketball in front of an audience of Japanese fans. We are particularly excited to watch Rui Hachimura play in front of his fellow Japanese citizens. We were proud to welcome him into the DC Family nearly three years ago as a dynamic young talent and have only seen his growth as a player since. And our fans across our home market in Washington D.C. have a special connection to the Japanese people – marked by our annual celebration of the gift of cherry trees given to our city by the Mayor of Tokyo over 100 years ago. Celebrating American and Japanese cultures further strengthens our bonds and so we look forward to taking on the Golden State Warriors and growing new fans of the sport we all love.”
NEWS
PTT Philippines introduces high-performance fuels

2:45 p.m. April 11, 2025
Thai oil firm PTT Philippines has introduced its new line of high-performance fuels to provide the mobility market with more efficient and engine-friendly petrol, in a move that would redefine fuel quality.
Following an extensive study and research, PTT Philippines has reformulated its line of fuels to bring them into the next level and brought into life Power+ Gasoline, Eco+ Gasoline, Ultra+ Diesel, and Save+ Diesel.
“This is going to redefine high-performance fuels as they are intended to improve driving experience not only in terms of mileage but also the cleaning and protection formula for the engine to last longer,” PTT Philippines Corporation President & Chief Executive Officer Athiwat Rattanakorn said during the formal launch Tuesday at PTT Park ‘n Fly Station in Pasay City.
“Combining latest technologies and high-quality components, our transition from Blue Innovation formula to this new product lines were part of our continuing drive on fuel innovation,” he added.
Power+ Gasoline is a premium grade fuel with 95 octane and contains more cleaning molecules that removes performances reducing deposits in the engine. Its friction modifier also improves power and torque for smoother driving experience.
Eco+ Gasoline has 93 octane and contains cleaning molecules that keep engine clean for improved fuel economy and emission.
Ultra+ Diesel is a premium grade diesel that contains twice the cleaning molecules from its previous regular formula that would help restore up to 100% of loss engine performance due to dirt and sludge. It will also help improve the combustion for better performance.
Save+ Diesel, on the other hand, has cleaning molecules that keep engine clean for better mileage and cleaner emission.
Initially, these new line of fuel products are available in at least five PTT stations in Luzon – the PTT Park ‘n Fly; PTT SCTEX and Concepcion, both in Tarlac; PTT Belfast in Fairview, Quezon City; and PTT Daet in Camarines Sur. They will soon be made available in all of PTT’s 170 stations all over the country, except for the Ultra+ Diesel which will be exclusively offered in the said five stations.
Apart from offering premium grade fuels, the adoption of new names from its previous Blue Innovation brand was also aimed at simplifying the product identification while clearly highlighting the unique advantages of each fuel grade offers.
“By adopting modern and dynamic names, we want to resonate better with our customers,” said Retail Marketing Director Sakon Masagee. “The new product names also align with our mission of staying competitive in the Philippine fuel industry while differentiating itself as a brand focused on superior value and customer satisfaction.”
Currently, PTT has a total of 170 stations in the country offering petroleum products of international standards, complementing the brand’s presence in other countries in Southeast Asia. PTT Philippines is a subsidiary of Thailand’s PTT Oil & Retail Business Public Company Limited.
NEWS
Smart scores big with NBTC, shapes future of PH basketball

5:36 p.m. April 10, 2025
Mobile services provider Smart Communications Inc. (Smart) successfully concluded the 2025 Smart-National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals. This year’s event brought together the best Filipino high school basketball teams, both local and international, to compete for the championship title, showcasing the exceptional talent and dedication of young athletes from across the country.
The Smart-NBTC National Finals, supported by Smart Sports and Puso Pilipinas, featured thrilling matches that captivated basketball fans nationwide. All games were livestreamed on PusoP.Com, allowing fans to watch their favorite teams and players in action.
Jude Turcuato, PLDT and Smart Head of Sports, expressed his pride in the continued partnership with NBTC. “Smart is committed to empowering young athletes from the grassroots level. Through our support for the NBTC, we aim to provide these talented individuals with the resources and opportunities they need to excel in their sport and achieve their dreams. The success of the 2025 Smart-NBTC National Finals is a testament to our dedication to nurturing the next generation of Filipino basketball stars.”
In an interview with Puso Pilipinas, former Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard and NBA coach Byron Scott spoke about his experience coaching young athletes in this year’s NBTC. “The passion here in the Philippines about basketball is unmatched. It really is something special to watch, they play it with such a passion, and they play so hard, and they have very high basketball IQs, too. It’s really good to see the revolution of basketball here from when I was here eight to ten years ago till now has really developed.”
The NBTC has a rich history of producing prominent names in basketball, including Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, Gilas Pilipinas center Kai Sotto, Kamaka Hepa, Kihei Clark, Jeron Artest, Kai Ballungay, Jared Bahay, and Kieffer Alas. Their participation in previous NBTC tournaments highlights the event’s significance in developing future basketball talents. Also present at the finals is Filipino-American comedian Jo Koy, who sponsored Fil-Nation Jo Koy, an under-19 girls squad in the finals.
Smart remains steadfast in its mission to promote sports development and inspire young athletes to reach their full potential. All these initiatives highlight PLDT and Smart’s continuing contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being. [END]
NEWS
HD Spikers’ experience, poise drown King Crunchers’ hype

2:10 p.m. April 7, 2025
Three-point thrillers defined the first two games of the Spikers’ Turf Open Conference Finals, with Cignal and Criss Cross trading blows to split the series. But when it mattered most, experience and composure rose above firepower and promise.
Cignal swept a shell-shocked Criss Cross side, 25-22, 25-16, 28-26, in a decisive Game 3, keeping its throne with authority and securing its ninth Spikers’ Turf title – a testament to the franchise’s dynastic reign.
And the HD Spikers’ near-improbable Set 3 comeback perfectly captured the HD Spikers’ championship DNA – while exposing the vulnerabilities in the King Crunchers’ once-imposing armor.
Backed by a core that has weathered countless championship wars, Cignal leaned on the big-game savvy of Louie Ramirez, Steven Rotter, Lloyd Josafat, JP Bugaoan and later on Jau Umandal, outclassing a Criss Cross squad that once again failed to deliver when the pressure peaked.
Despite bolstering their roster with heavy hitters like Jude Garcia, Marck Espejo, and Jaron Requinton, the King Crunchers faltered at the net and mentally unraveled down the stretch. Cignal’s 13 kill blocks and impenetrable defense neutralized Criss Cross’ vaunted frontline and left them playing catch-up in the first two sets.
Game 2 had seemed like a turning point for Criss Cross, which clawed back from a late deficit in the fifth set to level the series and briefly seized momentum. But their Game 3 performance told a different story – tentative, inconsistent, and ultimately overwhelmed in the first two sets.
That 2-0 set lead marked the first time Cignal had been ahead of Criss Cross in any of their six meetings this conference, putting the HD Spikers just a set away from extending their dominance over the King Crunchers.
But the King Crunchers seemed poised to extend the match after controlling most of Set 3, but when the pressure mounted down the stretch, cracks began to show in the team that had swept 13 straight matches en route to the finals.
With the title on the line, Cignal’s pedigree shone, while Criss Cross once again buckled under the weight of expectations, losing its third straight Finals series to the HD Spikers.
Coach Dexter Clamor deserved credit for keeping his squad mentally locked in. After a bitter Game 2 defeat and being down by three in the third set of the sudden death, he inspired a ruthless response in the clutch, driving home a reminder of why Cignal remains the league’s gold standard.
It was a masterclass from Clamor, who kept his team locked in with sharp, strategic guidance, exploiting even the smallest cracks in the opposition’s game.
In contrast, King Crunchers coach Tai Bundit struggled to find the right answers. Despite experimenting with combinations and calling timely timeouts in an effort to disrupt Cignal’s rhythm, his squad fell short when it mattered most.
Down 20–23, Clamor turned to Umandal – who, true to his form, answered the call with poise and intensity. Coming off the bench fresh and fiery, he immediately delivered with an off-the-block hit and a kill, then followed up with a defensive stop, denying Chumason Njigha’s quick attack.
In a flash, the score was tied at 23. In moments as tight and intense as this, only a team with a champion’s heart and nerves of steel could pull through.
Cignal did. But not without drama – surviving three set points and showcasing the resilience that defines their character.
Then came Rotter. Known for his thunderous attacks and powerful serves, he made his mark in an unexpected way – on defense – thwarting Espejo’s kill attempt to push the HD Spikers to match point.
After a tense rally, Rotter finally unleashed his trademark backrow attack, fed perfectly by Owa Retamar. The ball ricocheted off libero Manuel Sumanguid’s arms and flew out of bounds.
Espejo, in a desperate attempt to save the point, chased the ball but crashed into the railings. The sequence sealed the win and sparked a euphoric celebration for the HD Spikers, who claimed their ninth championship in just one hour and 33 minutes.
As white confetti rained down, the underdog HD Spikers basked in what could be considered their sweetest victory yet – achieved against the powerhouse Criss Cross squad.
One man stood tall in this milestone triumph: Ramirez, who matched Rotter’s 15-point output to once again earn Best Player of the Game honors.
For Ramirez, a standout from Perpetual Help, the performance was personal – a redemption after struggling for most of the conference.
“My mindset was to make it up to my teammates. I didn’t perform well all season, so I told myself that if I got a chance in the finals, I’d give everything I had,” said Ramirez in Filipino, who also bagged top honors in last year’s title run.