The 2026 Japan B.LEAGUE All-Star Weekend in Nagoya gets a makeover this year as the four-team Asia Cross Tournament launches the midseason festivities.
The 2026 Japan B.LEAGUE All-Star Weekend in Nagoya is shaking things up.
Gone is the traditional Rising Stars vs. Asia All-Stars showdown and in its place, fans will witness a brand-new four-team B.LEAGUE All-Star Asia Cross Tournament on Friday, January 16 (PH time) at the Happiness Arena.
Dwight Ramos will join forces with fellow Filipino imports Kiefer Ravena, Ray Parks Jr., and AJ Edu, among others, to form the Asia All-Stars, taking on the Rising Stars and two new entrants: B2 Select and Kyushu United.
[RELATED: B.LEAGUE: Ramos, Parks, Ravena, Edu banner Philippines in Asia All-Stars squad]
The tournament opens with B2 Select vs. Kyushu United, followed by the Asia All-Stars clashing with the Rising Stars. Winners advance to the championship, while the losing sides fight for third place.
Semifinal games will be fast-paced knockouts, with teams racing to 20 points inside a 10-minute limit and no timeouts allowed.
The championship ups the ante, as the target score rises to 30 points, time is unlimited, and each team gets two timeouts.
The excitement continues on Day 2 with the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk Contest, leading up to the U18 All-Star Game and the highly anticipated Team B.White vs. Team B.Black matchup.
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Pao Ambat earned his journalism degree from Cavite State University in 2022.
Passionate about sports from a young age, he primarily covers the NBA for One Sports, while also assisting in reporting on the PVL, PBA, UAAP, and other leagues.