The TNT Tropang 5G are off to Dubai as they are slated to compete at the second annual Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship 2025. The pocket tourney will take place from September 29 to October 5 at the Al Jazira Club Indoor Arena and will feature a mix of local and international clubs.
“Preparations are well underway to deliver a distinguished edition of this tournament. We are delighted to welcome all participating clubs to Abu Dhabi,” said Abdullah Salem Al Junaibi, Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship 2025. “Al Wahda Club has a proud tradition of organizing high-profile competitions, and this event strengthens sporting ties with teams from Lebanon, Kuwait, the Philippines, and Kazakhstan.”
TNT announced their participation in the Dubai tourney on social media on Thursday, saying: TNT Tropang 5G will bring the heat of the battle to the desert! Let’s all support our KaTropa at the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship from September 29 to October 5.”
The Tropa, who won two of the three championships at stake in Season 49, will be parading its core of Calvin Oftana, RR Pogoy, Jordan Heading, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Kelly Williams, and the comebacking Rey Nambatac, who missed the Philippine Cup playoffs due to an injury.
What TNT Can Expect in Abu Dhabi
Needless to say, the Tropa can expect top-notch competition and explosive action as some very good teams will be making their way to Dubai to compete at the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship 2025. It will be the kind of competition TNT probably won’t be getting if they played preseason games opposite other PBA teams. This makes the Dubai pocket tourney an excellent preparation ahead of Season 50.
Among the elite teams TNT will surely face are former UAE National Basketball League champion Sharjah and Lebanese Basketball League (LBL) champ Al Riyadi, who are in Group A alongside the Tropang 5G. Joining them is Al Dhafra, another prominent member of the UAE National Basketball League.
In Group B are UAE’s Al Wahda, Lebanon’s Champville, Kuwait’s Al Qarin, and Kazakhstan’s Astana, who won the latest edition of the Kazakhstan Basketball Championship.
Teams in the same group will play each other once, with the top two advancing to the knockout crossover semifinals. The winners in the semis will dispute the title in the one-game final.
