Calderon Cup 21-Under Basketball Tournament Kicks Off in Dumanjug, Cebu
After extensive preparations, the first-ever Calderon Cup 21-under Inter-Town Basketball Tournament is poised to launch this Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Jose Macoy Gymnasium in Dumanjug, Cebu. This exciting grassroots sports event, organized under the leadership of Congresswoman Patsy Calderon, will bring together eight municipalities from the 7th District for a competitive showcase of young talent.
Opening Day Schedule and Matchups
The tournament begins with a double-header on opening day. At 6 p.m., the matchup between Alegria and Malabuyoc will officially start the competition. Following this, the main game at 7:30 p.m. features host team Dumanjug against neighboring town Ronda, promising an intense local rivalry to set the tone for the event.
Prior to the games, an opening program will commence at 3 p.m., highlighted by the selection of the inaugural Miss Calderon Cup 2026. This beauty pageant adds a festive element to the tournament, drawing additional excitement from spectators. The program will be preceded by a short parade of all eight participating teams, accompanied by their respective muses, around the Jose Macoy Gymnasium.
Tournament Format and Participating Teams
The eight teams are divided into two brackets for the competition. Bracket A includes Dumanjug, Ronda, Alcantara, and Moalboal, while Bracket B comprises Badian, Alegria, Ginatilan, and Malabuyoc. The tournament follows a home-and-away double round-robin elimination format within each bracket.
In this structure, the top team from each bracket automatically advances to the semifinals. The second and third-place teams will then compete in crossover quarterfinals to determine the remaining two semifinalists, ensuring a fair and competitive path to the championship.
Organizational Leadership and Support
Atty. Ramil Abing, known for his role in creating the Governor’s Cup during former Governor Hilario Davide Jr.’s term, leads the organizing committee. He is supported by Jun Migallen as commissioner and Rey Cañete as deputy commissioner, bringing experienced oversight to the event.
Officials from all eight local government units, including their respective mayors, are expected to attend, underscoring the community-wide support for Congresswoman Calderon’s grassroots sports development program. Calderon, along with other 7th District officials, will deliver motivational messages to the athletes, emphasizing the importance of sports in youth development and community engagement.
