FILE–Jeremy Sochan #10 of the San Antonio Spurs looks on during an NBA game. Luke Hales/Getty Images/AFP 

MANILA, Philippines—The NBA Rising Stars Invitational Philippines Qualifiers will have a splash of San Antonio flavor when it tips off in Manila this week.

Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan will be gracing the Manila tournament, the NBA’s first regional high school event, that will feature seven girls’ and boys’ high school teams competing for two spots in the Rising Star Invitational scheduled for Singapore next month.

“Traveling the world as an NBA ambassador is an incredible privilege and I can’t wait to visit the Philippines for the first time,” said Sochan, the ninth overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.

“I’m excited to engage with Filipino fans and watch some of the top basketball talent that will be on display. One of my best friends is Filipino and I know how much passion for basketball there is, so it’ll be amazing to witness it firsthand!”

The pool play for the tournament beginsWednesday until Friday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong. The top two teams in each division will advance to the finals on Saturday at Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Sochan is expected to attend the final day, where an NBA Cares clinic with 40 boys and girls from Childhope Philippines is also scheduled.

Winning teams will compete against other teams from across the Asia Pacific.

“The first Philippines Qualifiers reflect our commitment to supporting the Philippine basketball ecosystem and the development of aspiring Filipino players,” said NBA Asia Head of Growth and Innovation Ed Winkle.

Sochan’s involvement in the Rising Star qualifier is equally fitting, considering the Polish-American was named to the 2022-23 NBA All-Rookie Second Team and a Rising Star at NBA All-Star 2023 and 2024.