The inaugural Bench: Shoot of Asia basketball exhibition match delivered non-stop action as Team Korea's Rising Eagles faced off against Team Philippines' Kuys Showtime on October 26, 2025, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Read: K-Pop idols face off with Pinoy stars in basketball showdown
The exhibition, hosted by Bench, featured a star-studded lineup from both countries.
Team Korea's Rising Eagles boasted K-Pop idols, including SHINee's Minho, NCT's Johnny, and 2AM's Jinwoon. They were joined by the talented players Su In, Eun Seok, Kim Taek, Dae Hee, Tae Jin, Seung Hoon, Chan Woong, and Kyu Min.
The team also included coach Seo Jang Hoon, assistant coach Chon Tae Poong, and team manager Sandara Park of 2NE1.
Going head-to-head with the Korean squad was Team Philippines' Kuys Showtime, a team composed of some of the biggest names in local entertainment industry.
Their line-up included It's Showtime hosts Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, and Ion Perez, alongside former Pinoy Big Brother housemates River Joseph and Dustin Yu.
The Philippine team also featured singers Billy Crawford, Adie Garcia, and Arthur Nery, host/content creator Baileys Acot, and actors EA de Guzman, Johannes Rissler, Wendell Ramos, David Licauco, JC De Vera, and Ronnie Alonte.
BENCH: SHOOT OF ASIA GAME HIGHLIGHTS
The competitive spirit of Team Korea's Rising Eagles was unmistakable throughout the match, particularly from K-Pop stars SHINee's Minho and NCT's Johnny, who were met with some of the loudest cheers from the heavily K-pop fan-filled audience.
Minho, serving as team captain, brought his famously passionate attitude to the court, a trait that earned the appreciation of basketball fans.
Even though the player finished the game with zero points, his highly competitive nature was a significant source of entertainment for the audience.
The intensity of his play was notable. At one point, fans cheered the star on after he expressed his frustration when a referee called a violation against him.
His determined, hard-nosed style of play ultimately led to him accumulating five fouls, resulting in his exit from the game. Nevertheless, the crowd's cheers for Minho continued.
Johnny of NCT, another crowd favorite, also showcased his athleticism. Though he, too, scored zero point, he was highly effective as a defense player.
The player skillfully diverted most of the balls he received to his team's primary scorers: Moon Soo In, Oh Seunghoon, and Jeong Jinwoon, who collectively posted the highest scores for Team Korea.
Team Philippines' Kuys Showtime saw several members step up as key contributors to their offense.
Johannes and David stood out as high scorers for the Filipino squad, consistently driving the team's scoring efforts.
Dustin Yu showcased his competitive side by successfully shooting some crucial baskets and three-point shots throughout the game, adding valuable points to the scoreboard.
Ion Perez came alive during the second half, demonstrating focus and getting into the zone. He nailed some crucial free throws after being on the receiving end of a foul, bringing Team Philippines back on the board and keeping the match competitive.
The final score resulted in a victory for Team Korea's Rising Eagles.
However, the official score will only be revealed once the special match airs on SBS in Korea in January 2026.
Following the intensely fought match, several players were given awards.
The Mythical Five included Team Philippines' Johannes Rissler and David Licauco, and Team Korea's Moon Soo In, Oh Seunghoon, and Jeong Jinwoon.
Moon Soo In landed the coveted Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his outstanding performance, earning 27 points for his team.
EXCITING PERFORMANCES
Beyond the exciting hard-court action, the event featured a stellar lineup of performances.
The halftime show was electrified by the dynamic numbers of of P-pop group HORI7ON and K-pop girl group Billlie.
HORI7ON captivated fans with high-energy renditions of "Meteor" and "Hit Me," while Billlie charmed the audience by performing "Flipping A Coin" and "Ring Ma Bell."
For the finale, team manager and global K-pop star Sandara Park took the stage, delivering a rock-star performance that began with her solo hit "Kiss."
She continued with a powerful medley of 2NE1 songs, including "I Am The Best," "Come Back Home," and "Go Away."
Following enthusiastic demands from the cheering fans for an encore, Sandara capped off the memorable night with her iconic Filipino song "In or Out."
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