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The SM Mall of Asia Arena was a crucible of energy on the evening of October 26, 2025, as two extraordinary rosters faced off in a basketball exhibition that merged celebrity and sport.
On one side stood the Rising Eagles of South Korea, a carefully assembled team led by the K‑pop superstar Choi Minho of SHINee and managed by Sandara Park of 2NE1. Their roster also included Johnny of NCT, Jeong Jinwoon of 2AM, Moon Soo In, Oh Seung Hoon, Kim Taek, Dae Hee, Tae Jin, Chan Woong, and Kyu Min. The team was coached by Korean basketball legend Seo Jang Hoon with assistant coach Chon Tae Poong.
On the other side, the home team Kuys Showtime featured a dazzling array of Filipino entertainers including Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, Ion Perez, David Licauco, Johannes Rissler, EA de Guzman, Ronnie Alonte, JC De Vera, River Joseph, Dustin Yu, Wendell Ramos, Arthur Nery, Baileys Acot, Billy Crawford, and Adie Garcia.
As each player was introduced, the crowd responded with chants and applause, their excitement fueled as much by the personalities on the court as by the competition itself. The atmosphere suggested that this was more than a game. It was a cultural event, a celebration of fandom and showmanship, a spectacle where athleticism and celebrity intersected.
Before the first whistle, warm-ups revealed the contrasting approaches of the two teams. The Rising Eagles moved with precise coordination, executing drills that demonstrated discipline and training. Every shot, pass, and motion was measured and deliberate.
The Filipino team approached warm-ups with playful energy, tossing balls in unexpected ways, laughing with each other, and feeding off the audience’s enthusiasm. Yet beneath the levity lay an awareness of the challenge ahead. Even in these informal moments, it was clear that Kuys Showtime recognized the Rising Eagles as formidable opponents, whose seriousness and intensity could not be underestimated.
Once the game began, the difference in style became more pronounced. The Korean team immediately imposed a rigorous pace, controlling the court with tight defense and rapid transitions.
Minho, though not a high scorer, displayed tenacity in every movement, challenging plays and drawing fouls with a competitive intensity that earned the respect of the crowd. Johnny orchestrated plays from the back, setting up his teammates for scoring opportunities with subtle precision. Jinwoon, Moon Soo In, Oh Seung Hoon, Kim Taek, Dae Hee, Tae Jin, Chan Woong, and Kyu Min contributed to both offense and defense.
The Filipino squad responded with creativity and determination. Licauco and Rissler emerged as primary scorers, while Perez provided crucial contributions during critical stretches of the match. Navarro, Hilario, Crawford, de Guzman, Alonte, De Vera, River Joseph, Yu, Ramos, Nery, Baileys Acot, and Adie Garcia each played key roles, keeping their team in contention. As the minutes passed, the contest grew more tense, with the Rising Eagles’ seriousness setting a tone that forced the home team to elevate its focus and effort.
In the midst of the mounting tension, the Filipino side introduced a moment of levity by bringing in Ryan Bang as a gag player. His playful energy elicited laughter from the crowd as he entered the court, attempted exaggerated shots, and bowed theatrically to fans, reminding everyone that the exhibition was designed to entertain as well as challenge.
The halftime show further reinforced the blending of sport and spectacle. P-pop group HORI7ON delivered a dynamic performance, their choreography and stage presence commanding attention, followed by the K-pop girl group Billlie, who combined vocal power with intricate dance routines. The energy of the halftime presentations kept the audience engaged, bridging the gap between intense competition and celebratory entertainment.
The final stages of the game saw both teams giving their all, yet the Rising Eagles’ discipline and cohesion ultimately prevailed. The official winner will be confirmed upon broadcast on SBS in Korea in January 2026, leaving fans in suspense.
The evening concluded with Sandara Park taking the stage for a closing performance that was equal parts triumphant and nostalgic. She opened with her solo hit “Kiss” and followed with a medley of 2NE1 classics, including “I Am The Best,” “Come Back Home,” and “Go Away.” The audience’s call for an encore brought her back for one final performance of her Filipino-language track “In or Out,” leaving the arena in a state of exhilaration. The event succeeded not only as a basketball game but as a showcase of talent, entertainment, and cross-cultural celebration, leaving a lasting impression that transcended the scoreboard.
All of this made possible by Bench. Fans are already expressing their favorite K-POP and home grown players alike to join next year if it’s ever possible and we are sure to tune in.
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