The much-anticipated Mayor Olaso Cup 2026 officially begins this weekend, launching with a high-profile exhibition match that promises to draw crowds in Zamboanga City.
Star-Studded Opening Tipped Off
The tournament's opening ceremony will be highlighted by an exhibition game between the Manila All Stars and the home team, Team Zamboanga. The action starts at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026. The venue for this exciting opener is the Mayor Vitaliano Agan Coliseum, located in Tetuan village, Zamboanga City.
Teams Feature Mix of Legends and Local Talent
The Manila All Stars roster is a formidable assembly of professional and collegiate basketball standouts. Players have been drawn from prestigious leagues including the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL), the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), and the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Team Zamboanga, representing the host city, will be led by Mayor Khymer Olaso himself. The squad boasts an impressive lineup of homegrown talents. This includes former PBA players and a special athlete: 2005 Southeast Asian Games boxing gold medalist Eumir Marcial, who is also known for his passion for basketball.
Adding to the spectacle, the exhibition will also showcase women basketball athletes from both Manila and Zamboanga City, promoting inclusivity in the sport.
A Tournament for Community and Youth Development
The Olaso Cup 2026 is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Zamboanga City government, B-Steel Sports Promotions, and the Junior Chamber International. Osbert Malinao, B-Steel's Vice President for Operations, revealed the impressive scale of the tournament.
Teams from 80 out of Zamboanga City's 98 villages will compete in this year's edition. The breakdown shows 35 teams from the city's first district and 45 teams from the second district participating.
Malinao emphasized the core mission of the event. "The aim of the tournament is to discover new talents from the grassroots, promote camaraderie, and encourage the youth to shy away from vices," he stated.
To motivate the participants, attractive cash prizes are on the line for the champion and the first to third runners-up. Even non-winning teams will not go home empty-handed, as they will receive consolation cash prizes. Additional special cash awards, including one for the Most Valuable Player (MVP), are also up for grabs.
This major sporting event is set to energize the local community, spotlight athletic prowess, and fulfill its goal of fostering positive values among the youth of Zamboanga.
