MANILA, Philippines — The NBA on Disney+ 2026–27 season starts here! Disney+ Philippines brought The Plus Side of Basketball closer to Filipino fans by welcoming ESPN NBA insiders Brian Windhorst and Tim MacMahon to Manila on October 5 for the Manila stop of The Hoop Collective World Tour.  The special event celebrated the start of the new NBA season on Disney+ and gave fans the chance to connect with the voices behind the game through a live podcast recording and special fan experiences. Hosted by Windhorst, The Hoop Collective podcast features candid conversations, expert analysis, and insider perspectives on the NBA’s biggest stories.  The highlight of the event was a live recording of The Hoop Collective, featuring Philippine basketball icon Jimmy Alapag as special guest. The former Gilas Pilipinas team captain, PBA MVP, and current head coach of the NLEX Road Warriors has also previously served as the player development coach for the NBA’s Sacramento Kings. Windhorst, MacMahon, and Alapag engaged in an in-depth conversation on Filipinos’ love for basketball, their experiences in the NBA, and the upcoming NBA season on Disney+.  Prior to the live podcast recording, Windhorst led a sports journalism masterclass for student journalists from key universities across the Philippines. The session covered sports reporting, game analysis, and storytelling, offering participants insights into how journalists prepare for games and bring the stories behind the action to audiences. “When I came to Manila in 2023, I was energized by the passion of Filipino basketball fans and how much they understood the nuances of the game. As soon as I left, I said I wanted to come back and engage with the fans. The fact that Disney+ is where you get the NBA in the Philippines, it’s such a great opportunity for us to come together and promote it,” Windhorst shared. “I’m glad we could bring The Hoop Collective to Manila and be part of that experience as the new NBA season gets underway.”  The Hoop Collective in Manila marks the start of Disney+ Philippines’ “The Plus Side” campaign, bringing fans closer to the NBA as the new season approaches. The 2026–27 NBA season officially tips off on October 22, when fans in the Philippines can stream the NBA on Disney+.  The October 22 NBA Tip-Off on Disney+ opens with a double-header featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves VS Miami Heat at 7:30 AM, followed by the Golden State Warriors VS Los Angeles Lakers marquee game at 10:00 AM. The hardcourt action continues on October 23 with Cleveland Cavaliers VS Philadelphia 76ers at 7:00 AM and Denver Nuggets VS Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 AM. Alongside live games, Disney+ Philippines’ ESPN coverage and analysis include Inside the NBA, NBA Today, and NBA Countdown, providing more ways to follow the players, teams, and stories shaping the season. The NBA Tip-Off and all the other NBA on Disney+ games will be available on the new Disney+ app. Download the new app on App Store and Play Store starting October 7. For the full NBA on Disney+ game schedule and updates, visit www.disney.ph/NBA and follow Disney+ Philippines on social media. TMT