The 89th Araw ng Dabaw Invitational Basketball Tournament tipped off with thrilling action on Thursday, March 12, at the Almendras Gym in the Davao City Recreation Center. The Jose Maria College (JMC) Kings and University of Cebu (UC) Webmasters both claimed debut victories, setting the stage for an exciting competition.
Kings Dominate with Stellar Performance
In a commanding display, the JMC Kings overpowered San Pedro College (SPC) with a final score of 85-73. Leading the charge was Karlo Estomo, who delivered an outstanding all-around performance. Estomo racked up 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, and five steals, proving instrumental in securing the win for his team.
Webmasters Edge Out Cheetahs in Close Contest
Meanwhile, the UC Webmasters narrowly defeated the Benedicto College (BC) Cheetahs, 62-57. Ricofer Sordilla emerged as the standout player, contributing 18 points, four rebounds, three assists, and two steals to help his team clinch a hard-fought victory.
Upcoming Matchups and Tournament Details
Action continues on Friday, March 13, with BC facing SPC at 5 p.m., followed by a highly anticipated clash between JMC and UC at 7 p.m. The tournament is organized by Madayaw Sports Davao and sanctioned by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) under Davao regional director Glenn Escandor. It forms part of the accredited events for the 89th Araw ng Dabaw Sports Festival, overseen by the Sports Development Division.
Expansive Sports Festival Unveiled
Beyond basketball, the Davao City Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO) has announced a packed calendar for the 89th Araw ng Dabaw, featuring 43 accredited events across various venues. Justine Adovo of the SDD-CMO emphasized the city's full support for the monthlong festivities, ensuring all events adhere to proper guidelines for athletes and spectators.
During the Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum held on Thursday, March 13, 2026, at The Annex of SM City Davao, Adovo highlighted the inclusion of sambo as a new addition this year. "For this year, we have sambo because it wasn't included last year. The events are mostly local, but it's our newest sport," Adovo stated.
Notable Athletes and Ongoing Competitions
The popularity of sambo in the Philippines has been bolstered by world-class Dabawenyo siblings Sydney and Chino Sy Tancontian, who began their careers in local tournaments like Araw ng Dabaw and the Kadayawan Festival. Another SDD-CMO employee, Charlie Roscios, noted that several events have already concluded, including the Legacy Run at Azuela and beach ping pong, while others, such as the elementary girls' volleyball meet at UM Matina, are ongoing.
This weekend, the festival will see the opening of intercollegiate and open women's volleyball leagues, featuring teams from local schools and visiting squads from General Santos City, further enriching the diverse sports offerings.
