Capitol brings back Governor’s Cup

CEBU, Philippines — After a seven-year hiatus, the Cebu provincial government has revived the Governor’s Cup, setting aside P8.9 million for the province-wide under-18 basketball tournament.

Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces said the approved budget submitted to the Office of the Governor covers the expenses for the two-month competition, including referees, commissioners, and other tournament requirements.

“For Governor's Cup, apil na ang atong gi-allocate nga budget. So ang approved budget based on what was submitted to the Office of the Governor, it's P8.9 million,” Empaces said.

The tournament formally opened on September 27 at the Mandaue City Sports Complex, where Governor Pamela Baricuatro joined Philippine Basketball Association legend and former Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Ramon “El Presidente” Fernandez for the ceremonial toss.

Mandaue City Mayor Jonkie Ouano and Provincial Sports Commission Chairman Dr. Rhoel Dejaño also joined the opening ceremony.

A total of 44 municipalities and cities across Cebu are participating in the two-month tilt organized by the Provincial Sports Commission.

Empaces said the competition was structured by geographic areas to make the tournament manageable and to avoid the high transportation costs that would come with bringing teams across the province for every game.

The participating teams are divided into the northeast, northwest, southwest, and southeast areas, with an islands tournament also covering San Francisco and the three island municipalities on Mactan Island.

Games are being held every weekend in different areas. The local competitions leading to the Sweet 16 stage are scheduled for the last week of October to the first week of November.

“Paspas na man lang na ang crossover kay mura'g do or die na man,” Empaces said, describing the Sweet 16 stage where teams will be ranked and divided into north and south brackets.

The format is designed to eventually determine the best teams from the northern and southern portions, which will face each other in the finals.

The champion will receive P500,000. The tournament will also award cash prizes to the other top teams, along with individual awards including the season MVP and finals MVP.

Participating municipalities will also receive P50,000 each in assistance, separate from the provincial government's provision of team uniforms.

Empaces said the subsidy may be used by local governments for other tournament-related expenses such as sports transportation.

He said the provincial government also considered the cost to participating teams when it divided the competition geographically.

Beyond competition, however, the provincial government is positioning the Governor’s Cup as a grassroots sports development program for young players.

Empaces said the age limit of 18 and below was deliberately adopted to give younger players opportunities to develop their skills and potentially be noticed by local universities and colleges, as well as schools in Manila.

“One of the reason nganong 18 ni is because ... these players will have opportunity to be scouted sa mga local universities nato and colleges or even mga university and colleges sa Manila,” he said.

He said the tournament could also open opportunities for outstanding players to compete in Manila, helping young athletes pursue sports alongside their education and future careers.

“This is a grassroots development program, this is not a tournament. This is a development program gyud,” Empaces said.

The Governor’s Cup is also expected to generate activity for host municipalities, with games bringing players, coaches, families, and spectators to different parts of the province and providing opportunities for local businesses and other small and medium enterprises.

Empaces said the provincial government sees the tournament as part of a broader sports program that includes grassroots boxing and planned local volleyball activities. He added that the Governor’s Cup serves as another avenue to develop Cebuano athletes and engage communities through sports. — (FREEMAN)