Philippines-bannered Team Asia emerged victorious in the 2026 KBL All-Star Game against Team Rookie in Seoul.
Arvin Tolentino and Will Navarro shone the brightest among Filipino reinforcements who suited up for Team Asia in the 2026 KBL All-Star after they trumped Team Rookie, 82-79, at the Seoul Jamsil Gymnasium on Saturday.
Navarro, representing KCC Egis, clamped down with the game-winning block on Moon Yu Hyeon with five seconds left after Team Rookie chipped away at what was once a double-digit lead by Team Asia.
Meanwhile, Tolentino of the Seoul SK Knights was named MVP with a double-double outing of 19 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, and one steal.
Kang Ji Hoon made it a three-point game for Team Rookie with 52 seconds remaining, capping a 14-0 run by the rookies sparked by the offense of Edi Daniel who scored nine during the run.
Team Asia led by as many as 17 points, 82-65, after a Kevin Quiambao dunk with three and a half minutes to go in regulation.
Though Team Asia was rendered scoreless since, the margin proved more than enough to survive Team Rookie’s efforts.
Late-game hero Navarro had a game-high 22 points on a highly efficient 11-of-13 shooting clip, while also registering four rebounds and three blocks.
Goyang’s Quiambao and Seoul Samsung Thunders’ Justin Gutang were the two other players in double-digit scoring with 14 and 10 markers, respectively.
SJ Belangel of the Daegu KOGAS Pegasus played an all-around game of nine points, seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals.
Wonju DB Promy’s Ethan Alvano, who recently was named Round 3 MVP, had five points, while KBL newcomer Jake Figueroa got his first taste of the All-Star treatment with three points, one assist, and one steal.
Alvano returns to action on Sunday for the main event of All-Star weekend.
Changwon LG Sakers’ Carl Tamayo was supposed to suit-up alongside Alvano but is sitting out due to injury.
Belangel and Gutang are listed as reserves in the main All-Star game. Likewise, Suwon KT Sonicboom’s JD Cagulangan also missed out on KBL All-Star festivities because of his ACL injury.
Rhenz Abando, of the Anyang JKJ Red Boosters, attended the festivities on Saturday but did not suit up for Team Asia also because of some nagging pains.
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Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.