Two Davao players among eight youth finalists headed to Japan for basketball training
Pocari Sweat's Live Your Dream project wrapped up its third season in Cebu City, picking eight young players from the Visayas and Mindanao for a week of training with Japanese professionals in April 2027.
Two young basketball players from Davao are among the eight national finalists who will train in Japan next year under the Live Your Dream with Pocari Sweat Basketball Dream Project, according to Edge Davao.
The program's third season ended with a final tryout for 32 players at the University of Southern Philippines Foundation in Cebu City. The eight finalists, aged 13 to 15, come in pairs from Cebu, Iloilo, Cotabato and Davao.
Season 3 covered the Visayas and Mindanao, with nine regional tryouts in those four areas drawing 652 aspiring players. Youth development coach Jess Evangelio handled the Davao leg. Coaches Rommel Rasmo, Raffy Ynion and Phil Tuvieron led the Cebu, Iloilo and Cotabato legs. Dream Project facilitator Coach Noli Ayo supervised all of them.
Ken Saito, president and managing director of Otsuka-Solar Philippines, Inc., launched the project in 2024. It offers structured training and coaching to help young Filipino athletes build their basketball skills. "This initiative is our commitment to creating pathways for young athletes to succeed," Saito said.
The finalists will fly to Japan in April 2027 for a week-long training program with professional B.League players and coaches. Organisers said the trip will expose them to advanced training methods, high-level coaching and the discipline needed to compete internationally.
PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial attended the final tryout and encouraged the players to pursue excellence. Also present were SBP Zone 8 Director Popoy Navarro and Cebu City Sports Commission Executive Director Dr. Rhoel Dejano.
Why it matters for Davao
The selection of two Davao players shows that young athletes from the city can reach international training opportunities through regional tryouts held locally.
This article was written by the DavaoNews desk with AI assistance, using reporting by Edge Davao. Facts come from the original report, which we credit and link below. Our editorial policy
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Sign in to commentTwo Davao players headed to Japan for basketball training! 🏀 Do you know them or their schools? Let's cheer them on here.