The best-of-three finals of the 1st Calderon Cup 21-Under Inter-town Basketball Tournament between Malabuyoc and Dumanjug will commence on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the Malabuyoc Sports Complex after a week of preparation.
Home-Court Advantage for Malabuyoc
Malabuyoc, holding the home-court advantage, will begin defending its turf in Game One, expected to be backed by a large hometown crowd. Coach Fieljohn Mejo acknowledged that fan support has been a key factor in energizing his players and boosting their morale.
“The home-court advantage is a huge help, not only because we are familiar with the court, but also because of the support from our fans that gives strength and confidence to the team. It boosts the morale of the players, especially during crucial moments of the game,” said Mejo.
However, he emphasized that this alone does not guarantee victory. “Even with that, we cannot afford to be complacent. We still need to focus on discipline, preparation, and teamwork to ensure a good result,” added Mejo, who revealed that some players are dealing with minor injuries.
He noted that besides the home-court edge, they also hold an advantage in defense and teamwork. He hopes to improve rotations and communication on the floor to better control the game. Key players for Malabuyoc include Joseph Velarde, Kyle John Cardosa, Jake Leo Quimm, Chris Dionne Gadiana, and Jayson Cabrera, who scored 34 points in their knockout semifinal win over Alegria.
Dumanjug Aims to Steal Game One
Meanwhile, Dumanjug head coach Nilo Quirante is confident they can steal Game One and shift the home-court advantage to their side. Although adjustments are needed, Quirante said they have focused heavily on their game plan during practice. This will be the first meeting between the two top teams from their respective brackets in the tournament.
To familiarize themselves with the venue, Dumanjug held a practice session last Sunday at the Malabuyoc Sports Complex. “We are just focused on our practice. Last Sunday, we also practiced on the Malabuyoc court so we could familiarize ourselves with their floor,” said Quirante. “We have some minor adjustments, but I reminded them to be more aggressive on defense because the opponents have good shooters,” added Quirante, a former member of the Cebu Gems.
Expected to lead Dumanjug are Raquel James Teleron, Jhun Miguel Telmo, Renz Nathan Villarojo, and Carl Escuadro. Quirante will also rely on the talent and experience of Cleveron Jay Fernandez, who has been struggling to show his usual form in recent games.
Path to the Finals
Malabuyoc earned the home-court advantage in the championship series through the semifinal round point system after defeating Alegria by five points, 97-92. Dumanjug advanced to the finals after a thrilling 65-62 victory over Moalboal, winning by only three points.
Because of its five-point advantage, Malabuyoc will host Game 1 before the series shifts to Dumanjug’s home court for Game 2 scheduled on Saturday, May 9. If necessary, Game 3 will return to Malabuyoc, with the schedule to be announced later.
