Ryukyu associate head coach and Akatsuki Japan assistant Norio Sassa admits that Japan and Philippines may be rivals on the court, but the success of both nations is a huge development for Asian basketball.
MACAU—The Philippines and Japan have long been rivals on the court.
But outside of the hardwood, both countries have seemingly continued to support each other in terms of further developing basketball.
In fact, the rise of Filipino players in Japan’s B.LEAGUE has not gone unnoticed.
For Ryukyu Golden Kings associate head coach Norio Sassa, it’s a testament to the growing talent pool of Philippine basketball.
"Actually, because of a lot of Filipino players playing in the B.LEAGUE right now, I think it’s great for us also," Sassa told One Sports during the EASL Final Four 2025 at Studio City here.
"It’s high-quality basketball," he added.
Filipino players have become a staple in Japan’s premier basketball league since the doors were first opened in 2020, with talents like Dwight Ramos, Ray Parks Jr, Kiefer Ravena, Kai Sotto, and AJ Edu currently showcasing their skills against top competition.
Before them, among the pioneering group also included talents like Thirdy Ravena and Kobe Paras.
At one point in the ongoing 2024-25 B.LEAGUE season, Sotto and Edu were even in the list of league leaders in blocks and rebounds.
[ALSO READ: Gilas bigs Kai Sotto, AJ Edu listed among Japan B.League stats leaders entering 2025]
The presence of Filipino hoopers in Japan, according to Sassa, has not only elevated the level of play in their country but has also contributed to the broader development of basketball in Asia.
Case in point, Gilas Pilipinas' dream campaign last year, beating the likes of then-world no. 6 Latvia, as well as world no. 22 New Zealand in the FIBA Asia Cup Qualifiers.
"We were really happy even last season when the Philippines beat Latvia," he said, referring to Gilas Pilipinas’ stunning victory over the emerging European powerhouse during the Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Sassa, also an assistant coach for Akatsuki Japan, has likewise seen success with his own national team, with Japan being the only Asian team in last year's Olympics after a sensational run in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023, where they beat Finland, Venezuela, and Cape Verde.
The decorated coach sees the ongoing competition between Japan and the Philippines as a healthy rivalry that fuels both nations’ growth in basketball.
"I feel like the growth of both Japan and the Philippines right now… of course, there’s a rivalry like the Asia Cup situation—it’s a great situation for us," Sassa explained. "I think Philippine basketball is growing right now. I think Japan basketball is also growing as well."
With both countries steadily improving on the international stage, Sassa believes that the mutual development of their basketball programs will only continue to push the region forward, strengthening their presence in global basketball.
As it stands, Japan is currently 21st in the latest FIBA world rankings, while Gilas Pilipinas are at no. 34.