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For the first time in its ten-year history, Japan's professional basketball league leaves Japan — and it lands in Manila. On September 9 and 10, 2026, the B.LEAGUE MANILA GAMES 2026 brings two regular-season-calibre matchups to the SM Mall of Asia Arena: Levanga Hokkaido versus Gunma Crane Thunders, twice, 7:00 pm tip both nights. The billing writes itself for Filipino fans, because both rosters carry Gilas Pilipinas blood — Dwight Ramos suits up for Levanga Hokkaido and AJ Edu for Gunma Crane Thunders, making this the rare night where two Filipino national-team mainstays face each other in front of a home crowd, in games that count for Japanese professional pride. The official banner: "TWO NATIONS, ONE BEAT" — staged to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the normalisation of Japan-Philippines diplomatic relations and the B.League's own 10th anniversary. The country's Japanese-league diaspora era gets its first home fixture. The Verified Facts Item Detail Event B.LEAGUE MANILA GAMES 2026 Dates Wednesday September 9 + Thursday September 10, 2026 Tip-off 7:00 pm both nights Venue SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay (capacity ~15,000) Matchup Levanga Hokkaido vs. Gunma Crane Thunders (two-game set) Filipino headliners Dwight Ramos (Levanga Hokkaido) · AJ Edu (Gunma Crane Thunders) Official banner "TWO NATIONS, ONE BEAT" Occasion First B.League games staged outside Japan · 70th anniversary of Japan-PH diplomatic normalisation · B.League 10th anniversary Tickets SM Tickets (smtickets.com) — MOA Arena standard channels The Stakes This is not a friendly with a marketing wrapper. The B.League has become the substantive overseas home for Filipino professional talent over the past half-decade — Ramos, Edu, Kai Sotto's stints, the Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena era at San-En and NeoPhoenix before them — and the league's decision to stage its first-ever overseas fixture in Manila is an explicit acknowledgment of where its most-passionate foreign market lives. Filipino B.League viewership numbers have been among the league's strongest international audiences since the Ravena signings opened the pipeline. For the two clubs, the Manila set doubles as early-season preparation with genuine roster competition. For Filipino fans, the fixture answers the question the diaspora era has been building toward: what does a B.League game feel like live, at home? The Ramos-Edu matchup — Dwight Ramos (guard/wing, Gilas mainstay since 2021) against AJ Edu (big, Gilas frontcourt) in opposing colours, twice. Expect Gilas-jersey density in the stands to rival any national-team window. Tickets & Practicalities Tickets — via SM Tickets online and MOA Arena box office. Two-night ticket demand will skew toward the September 10 closer; the September 9 opener is the smart buy if you want the better seat for the money. The venue — SM Mall of Asia Arena sits in the MOA complex; standard arena playbook applies — MRT-3/LRT-1 EDSA-Taft + shuttle loop, MOA carparks, P2P routes from Makati/BGC/Ortigas/QC. Make a night of it — the MOA complex dining circuit before tip-off; the bay-side esplanade after. The Bigger Frame Japanese professional basketball staging a home-away-from-home fixture in Manila is a milestone in the region's basketball economy — the same logic that brought NBA preseason games to Manila in 2013 and the FIBA World Cup in 2023, now applied by the league that actually employs the country's overseas core. If the two-night set packs MOA Arena (and Dwight Ramos has publicly said that's the hope), expect this to become an annual fixture — and expect the B.League's Manila scouting footprint to deepen accordingly. Your turn. Going on the 9th, the 10th, or both? Section recommendations for MOA Arena basketball sightlines. Ramos vs. Edu — whose night is it? B.League regulars — how do Levanga and Gunma project this season, and what should first-time B.League watchers know about the league's pace-and-space style compared to the PBA? Jersey-spotting reports welcome after each night. And the standing question: should the B.League make Manila an annual stop? — Bizman

389 keys — 247 hotel rooms plus 142 serviced residences — at the edge of the Mall of Asia complex. A 5-star aparthotel by the Hong Kong group that runs Lanson Place Bukit Ceylon Kuala Lumpur and Two MacDonnell Road Hong Kong. The new Manila address for the long-stay affluent traveler. The Aparthotel Format Most Manila luxury hotels are calibrated for the 2–4 night business stay or the weekend staycation. Lanson Place Mall of Asia is calibrated for something different — the 1-week, 1-month, sometimes 1-quarter stay where the guest needs hotel service but apartment space. The format is aparthotel: a hybrid of hotel rooms (247 of them, with daily housekeeping and concierge) and serviced residences (142 of them, with full kitchens, washing machines, separate bedrooms, and the equipment for a real life). It is a format that has been mainstream in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Kuala Lumpur for two decades but underrepresented in Manila until recently. Lanson Place — a brand owned by the Hong Kong-based Wing Tai Properties — brings its specific take on the format to Pasay, at the bayfront edge of the SM Mall of Asia complex. The Building The property is a single tower with the rooftop infinity pool as its signature outdoor feature. The lobby is contemporary and pared-back — the design vocabulary is Singaporean-Hong Kong premium, not the gilded Manila luxury norm. The arrival reads as private residence more than transient hotel. The Accommodations 389 keys total. The format works because the range is genuine — not just hotel rooms with kitchenettes, but a full ladder from short-stay to long-stay: Superior Hotel Rooms — 25 square meters, the entry-tier short-stay room. Standard hotel room with daily service. Deluxe Hotel Rooms — larger short-stay rooms with city or partial bay views. Studio Residences — kitchenette, washer-dryer, the entry-tier extended-stay format. For stays of 7+ nights. One-Bedroom Suites — separate bedroom, full kitchen, dining area, living room. For stays of 2+ weeks. Two-Bedroom Suites — family or executive-relocation format. Two bedrooms, full kitchen, multiple bathrooms. Panorama Grand Suite Residence — 77 square meters, the property's signature suite. Bay-facing, the most prized aspect. The Bayfront View The property's edge is the Manila Bay sunset. The rooftop pool, the higher-floor units, and the bay-facing dining all benefit from the same geography — a clean western horizon that turns gold for the last hour before sunset. This is, in Manila, an underrated and increasingly rare asset. As the Bay Area's high-rise development accelerates, properties with unobstructed bay views are becoming scarcer. Lanson Place captured one of the better remaining angles. Dining The signature restaurant is Cyan Modern Kitchen — the property's all-day dining room with a focused, contemporary menu and bay-adjacent ambience. The lobby bar handles the cocktail program. For the extended-stay guest, the immediate dining program inside the property is supplemented by the SM Mall of Asia food roster — the largest concentration of Manila restaurants per square meter — three minutes away on foot through the mall complex. The Pool, Spa, and Gym The rooftop infinity pool is the property's defining outdoor space — bay-facing, designed for evening swimming, with cabanas and lounge seating for the after-work hour. The state-of-the-art fitness center is dimensioned for serious workouts (this matters disproportionately for the long-stay guest). The kids' club addresses the family extended-stay use case. The Service Code Lanson Place's service script is calibrated for the residential tenant rather than the transient guest. The 24-hour front desk, the concierge service, the package handling, the maintenance support — all are designed to make a 30-day stay feel like a private apartment rather than a 30-day hotel stay. For repeat business travelers and relocating expats, this is the operating logic of choice. The Mall of Asia Geography The property's location at the edge of the SM Mall of Asia complex puts it inside Manila's largest entertainment-and-retail precinct: SM Mall of Asia — 3 minutes walk Mall of Asia Arena — 5 minutes walk MOA Bay Sunset Strip — directly accessible SM by the Bay Amusement Park — short walk For affluent guests with families or for expats settling into the city for an extended assignment, this is the geography that does the most for a 30-day stay. When to Stay Lanson Place's value proposition becomes increasingly stronger the longer the stay. For 1–3 nights, the property is comparable on price-to-experience to other Pasay-area five-stars. For 7+ nights, the extended-stay rates and the serviced residence format start to win decisively. For 30+ nights, the property is in a class of one in this part of the city. Getting There NAIA Terminal 1 → 10–15 minutes by car NAIA Terminal 3 → 15–20 minutes via Skyway Makati → 20–35 minutes via Roxas Boulevard or Skyway BGC → 25–40 minutes via Skyway Mall of Asia → 3 minutes walk Related — All Properties Under Metro Manila Hotels: Luxurious Makati CBD The Peninsula Manila (Makati): The Lobby & Manila Luxury Hotel Standard Raffles Makati: All-Suite Ultra-Luxury & Butler Service Fairmont Makati: Spectrum Brunch & Premium 5-Star Dusit Thani Manila (Makati): Thai 5-Star & Recently Renovated Discovery Primea Makati: Boutique Luxury & Contemporary Design Mandarin Oriental Makati (Upcoming Dec 2026): Ayala Triangle Luxury Tower Return BGC / Bonifacio Global City Shangri-La The Fort Manila (BGC): BGC Anchor 5-Star Grand Hyatt Manila (BGC): Hyatt Premium Flagship & BGC 5-Star Ortigas Center / Mandaluyong Edsa Shangri-La Manila (Ortigas): Ortigas 5-Star & Shangri-La Plaza Connection Marco Polo Ortigas Manila: Premium 5-Star & Ortigas Cluster The Westin Manila (Ortigas): Wellness 5-Star & Mandaluyong CBD Newport (NAIA-Adjacent) Hotel Okura Manila (Newport): Japanese 5-Star Hospitality & Newport Cluster Hilton Manila (Newport): Hilton 5-Star & NAIA Convenience Manila Marriott Hotel (Newport): Newport World Resorts 5-Star & NAIA-Adjacent Entertainment City Nobu Hotel Manila (Entertainment City): Boutique Luxury at City of Dreams Hyatt Regency Manila City of Dreams: Family-Friendly 5-Star & Entertainment City Pasay Bay Area Conrad Manila (Pasay): Hilton Ultra-Luxury & MOA Bayfront Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila (Pasay) [Closed 2024] Ermita (Heritage) The Manila Hotel (Ermita): The 1912 Historical Icon & MacArthur Suite Parent thread: Metro Manila Hotels: Luxurious Other Threads of Interest SM Mall of Asia (Pasay): Bayfront Views & MOA Arena Entertainment — the adjacent retail-and-entertainment anchor Your turn. Serviced residence reviews, extended-stay rates, Cyan Modern Kitchen reports, rooftop pool sunsets, expat relocation experiences, and whether the aparthotel format makes sense for your Manila stays — share your visits. — Bizman

A building designed to evoke a cruise ship at port. 347 rooms overlooking Manila Bay or the Pasay skyline. China Blue by Jereme Leung — one of the most acclaimed Cantonese fine-dining rooms in Manila. The SM-owned, Hilton-managed property that anchors the Mall of Asia entertainment precinct. The Cruise Ship at the Mall of Asia Most hotel buildings are designed to look like hotels. Conrad Manila is designed to look like a cruise ship at port — a deliberate architectural reference to the cargo and passenger ships that have, for generations, framed the Manila Bay horizon. The building's clean architectural lines, the open interior volumes, the large windows that frame the bay, the rooftop forms that evoke a ship's superstructure — all are calibrated to the maritime reference. The result is one of the more visually distinctive luxury hotels in Manila. The property anchors the SM Mall of Asia entertainment precinct — a 5-minute walk from the largest retail-and-entertainment complex in the country. The Ownership and Management Conrad Manila is a structural example of the owner-management split that defines much of modern luxury hospitality. The property is owned by SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation — the hospitality subsidiary of SM Investments Corporation, the largest Philippine conglomerate. The hotel is managed by Hilton Worldwide as part of the Conrad Hotels brand — Hilton's luxury sub-brand sitting above Hilton and Waldorf Astoria in the Hilton portfolio. The SM ownership means the property has the integrated-resort access to the adjacent SM Mall of Asia, SM by the Bay, and the broader SM Bay Area development. The Hilton management means the property delivers the Conrad international five-star standard with the Hilton Honors program integration. The Bay Position The hotel's position is consequential. Conrad Manila sits directly along Manila Bay — the historic western horizon of the city — with views toward the Bataan peninsula and the sunset that defines the Manila evening. The hotel's higher-floor rooms with bay-facing aspect capture the famous Manila Bay sunset — one of the most-photographed urban sunsets in the world. For affluent guests, the Bay View Room is the booking that maximizes the property's signature feature. The Pasay-facing rooms have city views and are generally lower-rate. The Accommodations 347 rooms and suites distributed across the property's tower. Room categories include: Deluxe Rooms — entry-tier, the property's volume room with either city or bay views Deluxe Bay View Rooms — bay-facing aspect, the booking that maximizes the property's geography Executive Rooms — Executive Lounge access (private check-in, refreshments, breakfast, cocktails) Suites — separate sitting rooms, including the Specialty Suites and the Presidential Suite The rooms are designed in the contemporary Conrad register — clean lines, neutral palettes, the marine-influenced design touches that reference the property's cruise-ship architectural narrative. The Five Dining Concepts Conrad Manila runs five dining and lounge concepts: China Blue by Jereme Leung — the signature Cantonese fine-dining restaurant by celebrity chef Jereme Leung, one of the most acclaimed Cantonese rooms in Manila Brasserie On 3 — the all-day European-influenced dining room C Lounge — the lobby cocktail and afternoon-tea program Bru Coffee Bar — the lobby café Sails Pool Bar — the pool-deck bar (the "Sails" naming continues the maritime architectural reference) China Blue is the most-discussed of the five — the kitchen has, since opening, drawn the affluent Manila Cantonese-dining crowd that previously had to choose between EDSA Shangri-La's Summer Palace and the Peninsula's Spices. Jereme Leung's involvement as a celebrity chef partner has been part of the property's culinary credibility from the start. The Pool Deck and the Maritime References The property's pool deck includes the Sails Pool Bar — designed with deliberately maritime visual references (sail-shaped shading structures, the deck-as-promenade layout). The pool is one of the more dramatic Manila hotel pools, positioned with bay-direction sightlines. The Mall of Asia Geography Conrad Manila's position at the edge of the SM Mall of Asia entertainment precinct puts the property in walking distance of: SM Mall of Asia — the largest mall in the Philippines Mall of Asia Arena — the venue for international concerts, sporting events, and entertainment SM by the Bay Amusement Park — the family attractions MOA Bay Sunset Strip — the public bayfront promenade The Conrad's own retail concourse For affluent guests staying at Conrad, the entire SM Bay Area development functions as the property's extended amenity zone. The Service Code Conrad's service is calibrated to the Conrad international five-star standard — slightly more contemporary than the Peninsula and Mandarin Oriental, slightly more formal than the Shangri-La. The property attracts a significant international business traveler segment, which means the service script is calibrated for the global luxury traveler. For affluent Hilton Honors program loyalists, Conrad Manila is the brand's premier Manila property and one of the strongest Conrad properties in Southeast Asia. When to Stay Conrad Manila operates year-round. Holy Week and Christmas-New Year are at full capacity. The weekday international business traveler pattern dominates, which means weekend leisure rates can be more competitive. For affluent guests planning a Manila Bay sunset experience, the bay-facing Junior Suite is the booking to make 3-4 months ahead for the peak sunset months (the cool dry months of November-February have the most reliable clear-horizon sunsets). Getting There SM Mall of Asia → 5 minutes walking distance NAIA → 15–25 minutes via Skyway Makati → 20–35 minutes via Roxas Boulevard or Skyway BGC → 25–40 minutes via Skyway Entertainment City → 5–10 minutes by car Related — All Properties Under Metro Manila Hotels: Luxurious Makati CBD The Peninsula Manila (Makati): The Lobby & Manila Luxury Hotel Standard Raffles Makati: All-Suite Ultra-Luxury & Butler Service Fairmont Makati: Spectrum Brunch & Premium 5-Star Dusit Thani Manila (Makati): Thai 5-Star & Recently Renovated Discovery Primea Makati: Boutique Luxury & Contemporary Design Mandarin Oriental Makati (Upcoming Dec 2026): Ayala Triangle Luxury Tower Return BGC / Bonifacio Global City Shangri-La The Fort Manila (BGC): BGC Anchor 5-Star Grand Hyatt Manila (BGC): Hyatt Premium Flagship & BGC 5-Star Ortigas Center / Mandaluyong Edsa Shangri-La Manila (Ortigas): Ortigas 5-Star & Shangri-La Plaza Connection Marco Polo Ortigas Manila: Premium 5-Star & Ortigas Cluster The Westin Manila (Ortigas): Wellness 5-Star & Mandaluyong CBD Newport (NAIA-Adjacent) Hotel Okura Manila (Newport): Japanese 5-Star Hospitality & Newport Cluster Hilton Manila (Newport): Hilton 5-Star & NAIA Convenience Manila Marriott Hotel (Newport): Newport World Resorts 5-Star & NAIA-Adjacent Entertainment City Nobu Hotel Manila (Entertainment City): Boutique Luxury at City of Dreams Hyatt Regency Manila City of Dreams: Family-Friendly 5-Star & Entertainment City Pasay Bay Area Lanson Place Mall of Asia (Pasay): Premium Serviced Suites & MOA Bayfront Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila (Pasay) [Closed 2024] Ermita (Heritage) The Manila Hotel (Ermita): The 1912 Historical Icon & MacArthur Suite Parent thread: Metro Manila Hotels: Luxurious Other Threads of Interest SM Mall of Asia (Pasay): Bayfront Views & MOA Arena Entertainment — the adjacent SM Mall of Asia anchor Your turn. China Blue dim sum reports (Jereme Leung's signature dishes deserve specific mentions), Bay View Room sunset photography, Sails Pool Bar evenings, Executive Lounge value, Hilton Honors loyalty strategy at Conrad — share your stays. — Bizman

The 5-minute read on the country's iconic mega-destination mall. 590,000 sqm, the world's 6th-largest mall, the world's largest IKEA, 200+ restaurants, and the MOA Arena entertainment complex. Quick housekeeping: SM Mall of Asia (MOA) opened in 2006 and remains one of the largest malls in Asia at 590,000 square meters — the largest mall in the Philippines, the second-largest in Southeast Asia, and the sixth-largest in the world. Developed and operated by SM Prime Holdings. With 600–800 stores, 200+ dining options, an Olympic-size ice skating rink, and the MOA Arena adjacent, it's the country's marquee destination mall. Forum primer below. Why MOA matters For affluent members, MOA isn't primarily a shopping destination — Greenbelt, BGC, and Shangri-La Plaza handle that. MOA is an experience destination. The bayfront location, the world's largest IKEA, the MOA Arena (concerts and basketball), the Sky Park rides and rooftop, the Conrad Manila hotel adjacent — these are the reasons to visit. That said, the retail is encyclopedic. If you need any brand at any price tier, you'll find it here. Mall facilities and anchors 600–800 stores across the main mall complex IKEA — the world's largest IKEA store (member-favorite reason to visit) SM Department Store (full-line) Mall of Asia Arena — concerts, NBA preseason, sports events (adjacent) Olympic-size ice skating rink MOA Sky rooftop — re-inaugurated February 25, 2025 with new facilities including: - MOA Football Pitch - MOA Paw Park (pet-friendly area) - MOA Sanctuary - MOA Sky Amphitheater ScreenX cinema — opened November 19, 2025 (panoramic 270° screen format) Where to eat at MOA 200+ dining options across the mall. The cuisine spread covers Filipino delicacies, Japanese sushi, Italian pasta, American burgers, and just about everything in between. The Entertainment Mall is the bayfront-facing dining strip — restaurants with sunset views, the IMAX, premium dining concepts. This is where members come for sunset dinners rather than the broader food court. Long-running member-cited dining anchors: Vikings Buffet — premium SM buffet chain, the MOA flagship The bayfront sunset-view restaurants along the Entertainment Mall strip Various rotating mid-to-premium chain restaurants Confirm current restaurant lineup with members — MOA's dining rotates seasonally. When to go Weekday afternoons — calmer, easier to navigate the scale. Sunset hours (5–7 PM) — the bayfront views are the point; aim for golden hour. Avoid weekends unless you're going specifically for an Arena event or a Conrad dinner — the weekend tourist + family crowd is overwhelming. December and Chinese New Year — heavy crowds, plan accordingly. Insider tips Park at the Entertainment Mall if your destination is the bayfront — closer to the experience. Conrad Manila (adjacent) is the premium hotel option — its lobby and bar are accessible without booking a room (separate thread). MOA Arena ticket pickup is at the Arena itself, not the mall — plan accordingly for concerts. The MOA Eye Ferris wheel at the bay area is touristy but a classic sunset stop. IKEA is a destination by itself — allow 2+ hours, eat at the IKEA restaurant for affordable Swedish meatballs. Sea Residences apartment buildings adjacent — local residents form a steady evening crowd at bayfront restaurants. MOA Sky (the renovated rooftop) is now a major draw — bring kids for the playground and sanctuary areas. What's nearby MOA Arena — adjacent; concerts, NBA preseason, sports. Conrad Manila (separate thread) — adjacent premium hotel. SMX Convention Center — adjacent; trade shows and conferences. Solaire Resort Manila (separate thread) — 10–15 minutes by car along the bay. City of Dreams Manila (separate thread) — 10–15 minutes by car. Okada Manila (separate thread) — 15 minutes by car. NAIA Terminal 3 — 15 minutes by car. Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila (separate thread) — 10 minutes by car, the heritage bayfront hotel. Final word For affluent members, MOA isn't your weekly shopping mall — it's a destination for specific reasons: concerts, IMAX or ScreenX films, bayfront sunset dinners, IKEA furniture runs, Sky Park family visits, Conrad Manila stays. Treat it that way. Greenbelt is for luxury shopping; MOA is for experiences. Both have their place. Your turn. Post your specific questions below — Arena event schedules, current sunset-view restaurant favorites, Conrad Manila access, IKEA strategy, MOA Sky updates. Regulars will fill in. — MTC Mods