South Korea's Rising Eagle celebrity basketball team is set to face its Filipino opponents, Kuys Showtime, this Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Bench: Shoot of Asia event at the SM Mall of Asia.
Organized by Bench, the exhibition game pits the Korean team, The Rising Eagles—formed for a sports reality show airing on Korean broadcaster SBS—against the Filipino team, Kuys Showtime, a line-up of popular Filipino personalities.
The Rising Eagles, coached by Korean basketball legend Seo Jang-hoon, features a star-studded lineup including K-pop artist and team captain Minho of SHINee.
He is joined by Jeong Jinwoon (2AM), Johnny (NCT), Lee Dae-hee, Park Chan-woong, Jung Kyu-min, Su In, Eun Seok, Kim Taek, Tae Jin, Seung Hoon, and Chan Woong.
Adding to the excitement, 2NE1's Sandara Park is serving as the team manager.
The Rising Eagles members met graced a press conference held at Lanson's Place in Pasay City, on October 25, 2025, to discuss the upcoming exhibition.
Sandara was excited to be back in the country.
Through an interpreter, she said: "Although I've been in Korea, siyempre, my love for the Filipinos, Philippines has always been here and been supporting of all my Filipino family dito.
"And this time, actually it's a very new feeling to be back here in the Philippines, bringing together the Rising Eagles, representing Korea."
However, team manager Sandara Park admitted she faced a "dilemma," especially since many members of the opposing Kuys Showtime team are also her real-life friends.
She said, "There's a little dilemma that I have because our opponent, the Showtime team, a lot of them are my friends.
"But, of course, this time, fulfilling my role as a manager for Rising Eagles, I have to show my full support and cheer for Team Korea."
Kuys Showtime's line-up includes "It's Showtime" hosts Vhong Navarro, Jhong Hilario, and Ion Perez; former "Pinoy Big Brother" housemates River Joseph and Dustin Yu; singers Billy Crawford, Adie Garcia, and Arthur Nery; and actors David Licauco, JC De Vera, and Ronnie Alonte, among others.
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TEAM KOREA'S RISING EAGLES
When asked about his mood for the upcoming basketball exhibition, Rising Eagle team captain Minho of SHINee drew a comparison between performing on stage and competing on the court.
Minho, speaking through a translator, admitted that nervousness is always a factor, but emphasized the team's commitment to the sport: "Well, I think the nervousness is always there both on the stage as an idol and also on the court as a player.
"As an idol myself, every time we go on the stage, we really have to make sure that our performances are perfect, so we really devote ourselves in practices.
He affirmed that their mindset remains the same when playing, regardless of the pressure.
"And as well as being a player, starting from the point that I'm on the bench down to playing all the games, the nervousness is always there.
"And, of course, it's still the same, the practices has to be there."
NCT's Johnny echoed Minho's sentiment, confirming that the team is committed to doing its best, especially for the fans.
Speaking through a translator, Johnny affirmed: "Well, same thing as what Minho said.
"The nervousness is still there but, when being on the stage to perform I exert all my energies towards the audiences who come to my shows.
"And for being a player, a basketball player during competition, I guess the energy really also goes to the audiences who comes and to cheer."
Issuing a challenge, Minho declared the Rising Eagles came "not to just have fun but to actually win."
Johnny followed up by wishing everyone a good time: "I just really hope that together with the Showtime team, the Team Philippines, that we can have a lot of great memories regardless of results.
"Not to be that to be the main focus but really just to have fun time together."
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