With NCAA Tournament appearances in each of the last four years and a Division II national title in 2010, the Cal Poly Pomona men’s basketball program is taking its talent into the international spotlight this August.

Representing the United States, the Broncos are taking a 12-day trip to Taiwan for the Buddha Light International Association (BLIA) Cup tournament to be held Aug. 16 through Aug. 21.

“Cal Poly Pomona is recognized globally as an institution of excellence,” Director of Athletics Brian Swanson said. “We are honored to represent our university and the United States through our men’s basketball team at the BLIA Cup tournament. With our student-athletes and coaches serving as goodwill ambassadors, cultural exchanges through sport can greatly bridge the respect and understanding of our world’s citizens – and our team will certainly do so.”

The tournament will feature eight male teams and eight female teams, with representation from the USA, France, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Korea, the Philippines, and People’s Republic of China. Cal Poly Pomona will play at least four games, and the event will be held at the Kaohsiung Arena in Taiwan.

The BLIA Cup is a sport cultural exchange organized by the Fo Guang Shan Monastery, intended to promote the sport of basketball among universities and to provide young student-athletes with the experience of competition in large-scale tournaments.

“This is a unique opportunity for our student-athletes to experience different cultures,”  head coach Greg Kamansky said. “I am confident our young men will represent our university with respect and professionalism on the world stage.”

It will mark the second international trip for Kamansky in 2016. In May, he traveled to Greece to present in a coaches clinic and share his basketball knowledge with other coaches from across the globe.

In group play for the upcoming tournament in August,  men’s basketball will challenge two teams from Taiwan – Chien Hsin and Ming Dao universities – and a squad from China: Huaqiao University.

Since the 2009-10 season, the Broncos’ defense has consistently ranked within the top three at the NCAA Division II level. The Cal Poly Pomona defense has finished at the No. 1 spot twice, at No. 2 four times, and at No. 3 once.
Through Kamansky’s tenure, the Broncos have competed against 11 Division I opponents for exhibition games. That list of opponents includes Duke (2010), Arizona (2014), Stanford (2007, 2014), UCLA (2006), USC (2006), San Diego (2004, 2005), Loyola Marymount (2006), UC Santa Barbara (2007), and UC Irvine (2009).

Tournament Schedule in Taiwan

Opening Ceremony (11 p.m. PT on Aug. 15, 2 p.m. in Taiwan on Aug. 16)

Game #1 on Aug. 16
Cal Poly Pomona vs. Huaqiao University (1:40 a.m. PT and 4:40 p.m. in Taiwan)

Game #2 on Aug. 17
Cal Poly Pomona vs. Chien Hsin University (12 a.m. PT and 3 p.m. in Taiwan)

Game #3 on Aug. 18
Cal Poly Pomona vs. Ming Dao University (1:40 a.m. PT and 4:40 p.m. in Taiwan)

Aug. 20 & Aug. 21
Group Leaders Compete for Tournament Title

Awards Ceremony (Aug. 21 at 2:30 a.m. PT and 5:30 p.m. in Taiwan)