Gilas Boys set to compete in 2026 B.League U16 Challenge Cup

Gilas Pilipinas Boys is set to test its mettle on the international stage after receiving an invitation to compete in the 2026 B.League Under-16 Challenge Cup, the Japanese league announced.

The Philippines' under-16 national team is one of two overseas squads invited to the tournament, joining Chinese Taipei's Nengren. The competition is scheduled from July 28 to 30 at Sumida City Gymnasium in Tokyo.

Drawn into Group A, Gilas will open its campaign against Chiba on July 28 before facing Ryukyu and Tachikawa the following day.

At the end of the preliminary round, all eight teams will be ranked based on their group results before advancing to the classification matches on July 30. The group winners will then compete for the tournament championship.

The 10-man Philippine squad will be bannered by Far Eastern University-Diliman standouts Hisham Mampao and Dwyane Madrigal, Ateneo High School's Marco Yoro, and University of the East's Jayson Mercado.

Also named to the roster are La Salle Green Hills' Sam Esomchi, Emman Simple, and Brielle Salazar; San Beda-Rizal's Lawrence Copia and Zap Ong; and Perpetual Help's Josh Saga.

The Philippines heads into the competition as the defending champion after the FEU-Diliman Baby Tamaraws captured last year's title with an unbeaten run at the Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium.