The Kuya Eric squad, powered by an all-around performance from Steve Nash Enriquez, secured a hard-fought 87-84 victory over the visiting RKF-Iloilo team in the championship match to capture the coveted 2026 Cebu City Charter Cup title. The thrilling final took place at the City Sports Institute Gym in Sawang Calero on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, capping off a five-day competition that was part of the city's Charter Day celebrations.
Enriquez's Late Arrival and Heroic Performance
Steve Nash Enriquez, who arrived late and entered the game with just three minutes remaining in the second quarter, delivered a standout performance that proved decisive. He scored 20 points, including four three-point shots from beyond the arc, and dished out five assists to lead Kuya Eric to the title-clinching win. His presence on the court was a game-changer, according to head coach Edsel Vallena.
"The arrival of Nash (Enriquez) was a huge factor. When Nash is on the court, the trend shifts—there's movement, there's passing. Then players like Jancork (Cabahug) and Ted (Saga) contribute, and I'm not just looking at offense but also defense. Even players like Tarosa (Jezel) and Luigi (Gabisan), who we didn't use in the elimination round, stepped up today. Perhaps our opponents didn't scout them properly," Vallena explained.
Key Contributions and MVP Honors
It was reported that Enriquez had flown to Manila for a prior commitment and rushed back to Cebu just in time for the championship game. Meanwhile, Jancork Cabahug, who demonstrated consistency throughout the tournament, once again finished in double figures with 14 points and four rebounds. His efforts earned him the Most Valuable Player honors for the competition.
A Game of Momentum Swings
Taking advantage of the absence of former PBA star Arwind Santos, Kuya Eric started strong and built a 16-point lead, 32-16, with 7:47 left in the first half. However, a 20-8 run orchestrated by Emman Calo, Billy Robles, and Ced Ablaza cut the deficit to just two points, 40-38, at halftime.
From there, a see-saw battle ensued, with the lead changing hands 10 times and three deadlocks occurring throughout the matchup. The last time RKF took the lead was at 74-73 when Miles Cana sank two free throws with 4:23 remaining in the fourth quarter. Enriquez quickly responded with a three-pointer to reclaim the lead, 76-74.
Final Moments and Runner-Up Effort
Jaypee Belencion's three-point bomb briefly threatened Kuya Eric's lead, but Enriquez sealed the victory by sinking two free throws down the stretch, setting the final score. Emman Calo, who had previously sent their semifinal match against Tiger Ship Builders into overtime, had a chance to do the same here, but his last-second attempt fell short as the final buzzer sounded.
For RKF-Iloilo, Ced Ablaza led the scoring with 22 points and seven rebounds, while Emman Calo and Billy Robles added 15 and 11 points, respectively. Despite the loss, RKF team-owner Ryan Keith Fio expressed satisfaction with his team's effort.
"It's okay to be runner-up; at least we put up a good fight. The crowd enjoyed the game," he said after the match. This marks the second time RKF has finished as runner-up in Cebu City's semi-commercial tournaments, having previously placed second in the Mayor's Cup invitational after winning the 2025 Sinulog Cup title at the Cebu Coliseum.
Third-Place Match Results
In earlier action, Tiger Ship Builders dominated Mighty Warriors-Sherilin with an 86-75 victory to claim third-place honors in the tournament. The 2026 Cebu City Charter Cup showcased intense competition and memorable performances, solidifying its place as a highlight of the city's sporting calendar.
