SLA chair hails Cebu support, eyes Bohol or Davao as next host

CEBU CITY, Philippines — The successful staging of the 2026 Sinag Liga Asya (SLA) Junior World Showcase has prompted organizers to explore bringing the international grassroots basketball tournament to either Bohol or Davao next year.

SLA Chairman Rocky Chan credited the overwhelming support of the Cebuano community after the five-day SLA basketball tournament concluded on Sunday, July 5, at the Cebu Coliseum.

The tournament featured 49 teams from five countries, up from 35 squads in last year’s edition in Cagayan de Oro. Young basketball standouts from the Philippines, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia competed across four venues in Cebu City, drawing packed crowds throughout the event.

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Among the tournament’s top attractions were Palarong Pambansa champions from Calabarzon led by Dairick Duterte, Gilas Youth standouts Chog Moral and Santi Romero, along with several promising international players.

Following the finals of the Under-23 division, Chan expressed his gratitude to Cebuanos for embracing the SLA basketball tournament.

“Daghan kaayong salamat sa entire Cebu City (thank you so much, Cebu City). The people of Cebu supported us from the opening day and what an exciting ending for the 2026 SLA Junior World Showcase. Nalipay kaayo mi (We are overjoyed). All the teams enjoyed their stay and it was a real success for us,” Chan said.

Chan also thanked the participating local and international teams for helping raise the level of competition.

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“We expected 49 teams from 35 last year. Dako kaayo among pasalamat sa pag salig sa mga (We are immensely grateful to the ) international teams who came from all over the globe to participate this season. The competition was tougher this year. The teams leveled up and came prepared. We had exciting finals all day,” he said.

Despite logistical challenges in staging the event in Cebu, Chan said the strong turnout exceeded expectations.

Chan also believes the tournament generated a significant boost to Cebu’s tourism industry, with visiting teams arriving alongside their families and supporters who took the opportunity to explore the province’s tourist destinations.

“Hopefully, our local governments and future host cities will see what this event brings. This is sports tourism. It combines basketball, entertainment, and tourism because many visitors travel with the teams. Our doors are always open to come back to Cebu,” he said.

With another successful edition in the books, Chan revealed that Bohol and Davao have emerged as the leading candidates to host the 2027 tournament.

Officials from the Bohol Provincial Sports Council attended the SLA basketball opening ceremonies to observe the event’s organization as part of discussions about a possible bid to host next year’s edition.

“It’s an official visit from the Provincial Sports Council of Bohol. They came over and observed how we prepared for the opening ceremony. It’s part of the discussion of bringing SLA to Bohol. We will discuss it with the governor regarding the possibility of hosting the tournament. They are one of the two places that have shown interest,” Chan said.

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Davao has also thrown its hat into the ring after sending three teams to Cebu, including the Under-13 Davao Microsmith Elite Eaglets, which featured the son of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“The other one is Davao. Three teams from Davao came here and invited us to hold the tournament there in 2027. I also received a call from Cagayan de Oro because they want to host it again after staging last year’s edition. We’ll see where it goes,” Chan said.

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