Pu-Men Girls’ Basketball Team Competes in Philippine PPBC, Gains Valuable Experience Against UP High School Team

【Life News Agency, Manila, Philippines】August 27, 2026

The Fo Guang Shan Pu-Men Senior High School Girls’ Basketball Team continued its training camp in the Philippines on August 27, returning to the court for the inaugural Philippine Premier Basketball Championship (PPBC). This time, Pu-Men faced the University of the Philippines (UP) High School Girls’ Basketball Team, gaining valuable game experience while strengthening the players’ adaptability and teamwork through a series of competitive matches.

Pu-Men was invited to participate in the PPBC as a guest team from Taiwan under the name “Taiwan Pumen School.” After taking on UP’s collegiate-level team on August 23, the team faced UP’s high school squad, UP-B, on August 27. Compared with the earlier challenge against university players, who held advantages in size, physical strength, and experience, this game provided Pu-Men with an opportunity to compete against players at a similar age level. It also allowed the coaching staff to assess how the players had adjusted in offensive and defensive coordination, decision-making, and team chemistry after several days of intensive training and competition.

UP-B took control early, leading 18–8 at the end of the first quarter and extending the advantage to 43–23 by halftime. Pu-Men continued to adjust to the pace and style of Philippine basketball, working through defense, movement, and team coordination to create scoring opportunities. UP-B maintained its lead at 64–35 after the third quarter.

Despite the deficit, Pu-Men continued to compete with determination in the final period. The team produced its strongest quarter of the game, outscoring UP-B 17–13 in the fourth quarter. The game ended 77–52 in favor of UP-B. Pu-Men committed 12 team fouls, while UP-B recorded 13.

Approximately half of Pu-Men’s roster for the Philippine training camp consists of newer players, with the other half made up of more experienced teammates. Each game therefore serves not only as an opportunity to compete for victory, but also as an important process for younger and senior players to become familiar with one another, build trust, and strengthen team chemistry.

Through consecutive games against different Philippine teams—from strong high school squads to collegiate-level opponents—the players have learned to adapt quickly to varying levels of intensity and different styles of play. Head Coach Lee Yi-Hsuan has also used each game to evaluate the players’ progress, allowing younger players to identify areas for improvement while encouraging the more experienced players to take greater responsibility and leadership on the court.

Venerable Yung Guang, Head Abbess of Fo Guang Shan Philippines and Vice President of the Three Acts of Goodness Sports Association, has continued to closely follow Pu-Men’s training camp and each of the team’s games despite being unable to attend every match in person. She has expressed concern for the players’ physical condition, training, and learning, while encouraging them to cherish the valuable opportunity to train overseas.

Venerable Yung Guang reminded the players that competition is not simply about winning or losing. More importantly, every challenge is an opportunity to learn how to handle pressure, develop teamwork, and persevere in the face of difficulties. She encouraged them to regard every moment on the court as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Through intensive training and competition against teams at different levels, Pu-Men has stepped beyond its familiar basketball environment in Taiwan to challenge itself against different playing styles in the Philippines. Through basketball, the players have built friendships while learning responsibility, cooperation, and perseverance, putting into practice Fo Guang Shan Founder Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s vision of promoting the Dharma through sports and nurturing talent through education.

August 27 Game Summary — Pu-Men vs. UP-B

Pu-Men had breakfast at 7:30 a.m. and departed for the game at 8:00 a.m.

Quarter Scores

1st Quarter: UP-B 18–8 Pu-Men

Halftime: UP-B 43–23 Pu-Men

3rd Quarter: UP-B 64–35 Pu-Men

Final: UP-B 77–52 Pu-Men

Fourth Quarter: Pu-Men outscored UP-B 17–13.

Team Fouls: UP-B 13; Pu-Men 12.

The team departed Aero Sports at 11:55 a.m. and arrived back at Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple at 12:20 p.m.