Governor’s Cup basketball set for grand comeback

CEBU, Philippines — After a seven-year hiatus, the Governor’s Cup basketball is making a return to Cebu sports scene.

No less Cebu Governor Pam Baricuatro led the formal launching of the Governor’s Cup Under 18 Basketball Tournament 2026, with the newly-minted SM Seaside Cebu Arena being eyed as a potential venue for the grand opening ceremony slated on September 26.

“The mayors are excited, I’m also very excited. I’m really looking forward for this Governor’s Cup,” said Baricuatro, who is expecting a 100 percent participation from the municipalities and cities comprising the province.

Baricuatro was joined by Cebu Provincial Sports Commission Chairman Dr. Rhoel Dejaño, commissioner Mark Anthony Ynoc, sports consultant Dr. Janos Vizcayno Jr., and CPSC Executive Director Engr. Rodrigo Tanza Jr.

“This is really designed to discover and identify new talents, which might be untapped,” said Dejaño during a press conference on Thursday, July 23, at the Executive Conference Room of the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

In the same event, Ynoc announced that a total of 21 Local Government Units (LGUs) have confirmed their entry in the province-wide developmental cage wars that was last staged in 2019 during the administration of governor Hilario “Junjun” Davide III.

“We’re expecting more teams to join since the deadline (for registration) is on August 11 yet,” said Ynoc.

Once everything is already in place, the competing teams will be divided into four divisions - Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest.

The Top 4 in each group will advance to the Sweet 16 knockout stage, with the division champions slugging it out for the overall crown.

  The grand champion will take home P500,000 while the first runner-up will pocket P250,000. The third and fourth placers will receive P100,000 and P50,000, respectively.