Eight Quezon towns open intertown cage battle as athlete scholarship rolls out

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino Mauban drives past a Gumaca defender during opening-day action of the Quezon Intertown Basketball Tournament 202...

By Engr. Jay B. Laurino

Mauban drives past a Gumaca defender during opening-day action of the Quezon Intertown Basketball Tournament 2026 at the Quezon Convention Center. (Quezon PIO)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — Eight municipal teams opened a provincewide basketball campaign Sunday, September 27, as the Quezon Intertown Basketball Tournament 2026 began at the Quezon Convention Center with four opening-day matchups involving teams from different parts of the province. The launch also carried a second major development as Acting Governor Anacleto “Third” Alcala III announced a scholarship initiative intended to support qualified Quezonian athletes who are pursuing their studies while remaining active in competitive sports.

Atimonan faced Tagkawayan, San Antonio met Mauban, Infanta played Sariaya, and Lopez battled Gumaca as the tournament immediately brought municipal teams into direct competition under one provincial event. The opening slate placed local representation at the center of the tournament while giving participating players another organized venue to continue sharpening their basketball skills through regular competition.

Alcala attended the opening together with Second District Board Members Dr. Kim Tan and Vinnette Alcala-Naca at the Quezon Convention Center, where the tournament formally began before players, coaches and supporters. He used the opening program to emphasize the importance of keeping young athletes involved in organized sports while providing them with more opportunities to improve through sustained participation.

“Gusto nating mabigyan ng mas maraming pagkakataon ang ating mga atletang Quezonian na maipakita at mas mahasa ang kanilang kakayahan sa pamamagitan ng mga kumpetisyong tulad nito. Hindi lamang ito tungkol sa pagkapanalo, kundi tungkol din sa pagbibigay sa kanila ng pagkakataong patuloy na umunlad sa larangan ng sports,” Alcala said.

The acting governor also introduced a scholarship initiative intended to assist athletes who must meet school requirements while maintaining regular training schedules and participation in competitions. The program is aimed at helping qualified Quezonians manage educational needs while continuing to pursue the sports in which they remain active.

“Alam natin na maraming atleta ang nagsisikap pagsabayin ang kanilang pag-aaral at training, kaya nais nating mabawasan ang bigat na kanilang dinadala sa pamamagitan ng scholarship program na ito. Hangad nating matulungan silang manatili sa paaralan habang patuloy nilang pinauunlad ang kanilang talento at kumakatawan sa kanilang mga komunidad,” Alcala said.

The Quezon Intertown Basketball Tournament 2026 places eight municipal teams in organized provincial competition while the scholarship initiative extends support to athletes whose responsibilities continue beyond the basketball court. By bringing competition and educational assistance into the same program, Quezon is addressing both the athletic and academic demands carried by local student-athletes.