Chairman’s Cup PH hoops tourney officially kicks off

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

One of the most highly sought-after grassroots basketball tournaments in the Philippines will finally begin today at the Warehouse basketball gym in Molo, Iloilo City.

After a series of grueling classification and elimination matches, the Chairman’s Cup Philippines Battle of the Champions is now set, brought to you by Toyota Iloilo Inc. in cooperation with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) Zone 6.

Five days of intense showdowns.

10 teams.

But only one will be crowned champion.

The Chairman’s Cup PH competition will run until June 10, 2026, with a series of elimination rounds scheduled for basketball enthusiasts from June 6 to June 8.

Headlining this year’s participants are two teams from Iloilo, Aklan, Negros Occidental, Cagayan de Oro, Palawan, Tacloban, Negros Oriental, and Capiz.

Seeking to repeat as back-to-back Chairman’s Cup kings are the young hoopers from Cebu, who outdueled Capiz in a back-and-forth championship slugfest last year.

The Chairman’s Cup organizers proudly welcomed two new participants this year, Tacloban and Negros Oriental, adding more competitive fire under the bright lights of the national stage.

Gracing this year’s Chairman’s Cup as guest speaker is Chris Newsome, star player of the PBA team Meralco Bolts and a mainstay with the Gilas Pilipinas national basketball team.

Expected to be present at the opening ceremony are Robert L. Uy, SBP vice president and founding chairman of Chairman’s Cup PH; Atty. Erika Dy, SBP executive director; Yves Dignadice, former PBA player; Robin Jarvis C. Uy, president of Chairman’s Cup PH; and Ralph Justin C. Uy, vice president of Chairman’s Cup PH.

The Chairman’s Cup organizers would like to thank SMART Sports, the official connectivity partner; Blue Chips Sportswear; Southwest Travel & Tours; and TEN122 Athletics.

Let the games begin!