The Japan B. League has confirmed ongoing discussions with the PBA for a collaboration between the two prominent professional basketball leagues in Asia. Nao Okamoto, the executive officer for international business of the B.League, revealed that they are in talks with the PBA to potentially organize exhibition games featuring teams and players from both leagues. The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) will also be involved in this partnership, according to Okamoto.

Okamoto mentioned that they have been in communication with PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and the SBP. These discussions aim to promote the growing popularity of basketball in the Asian region. The PBA had previously hinted at plans to hold games against its B.League counterparts, with Chairman Ricky Vargas mentioning the possibility during the unveiling of the league’s 50th-anniversary logo in March.

Both the PBA and B.League are set to mark significant milestones in their upcoming seasons. The PBA will celebrate its golden anniversary in October, while the B.League will commemorate its first decade. Additionally, both countries will observe the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Japan.

Okamoto acknowledged the contribution of Filipino players in the B.League in enhancing the sport's popularity in Japan. Although the number of Filipino imports has decreased from 14 to eight, he emphasized that these players are competing at the highest level of basketball in Japan. The Filipino players currently in the B.League include Kai Sotto, Dwight Ramos, Matthew Wright, Bobby Ray Parks, Kiefer Ravena, AJ Edu, and Roosevelt Adams. Ramos, Wright, Parks, and Ravena participated in the B.League’s Final Week in Manila celebration.

Activities during the B.League’s Final Week in Manila included the B. Hope Asia Jr. Basketball Clinic, supervised by Parks and assisted by Shinji Tomiyama, his deputy coach at Osaka Evessa. This clinic involved around 50 children from Filipino basketball clubs and Japanese students. Additionally, the B. Hope Asia 3x3 Challenge featured a mixed-gender, three-player tournament with Wright as a special guest.

Live screenings of Game 1 and 2 of the B.League finals between Ryukyu Golden Kings and Utsunomiya Brex were also available for fans, with Ramos and Ravena expected to attend.