KEELUNG CITY, Taiwan – Team Leyte Pilipinas has carved a remarkable chapter in Philippine basketball history, clinching 2nd runner-up honors in the NTOU Ocean Rise Cup International Basketball Tournament held at National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU) from June 13 to 17, 2025.
Competing against 10 elite Taiwanese squads and a strong Malaysian team, Leyte Pilipinas finished with a commanding 6-2 win-loss record, earning global recognition and pride for the country.
Led by head coach Michael Cinabre and assistant coaches Cliff Tesocan, Anton Grabriola, and Mark Anthony Ochea, the team brought discipline, heart, and high-level play that won the admiration of international fans and scouts alike.
In a groundbreaking development, one of Leyte Pilipinas’ standout players received offers from three top Taiwanese universities, making him the first Filipino athlete to be recruited for collegiate basketball in Taiwan as a direct result of this tournament.
More than just a sporting triumph, the tournament became a platform for cultural exchange and showcased the world-class potential of Filipino basketball talent on the global stage.
Leyte Pilipinas may have arrived as underdogs—but they leave Taiwan as pioneers, opening doors for future generations of Filipino athletes to dream and compete beyond borders. (PR)
