Former Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) veterans and foreign imports are set to headline a stacked Open Bracket field as the JG Laranang Contractors Cup basketball tournament takes center stage next month.
Spearheaded by organizer Jason Laranang alongside key tournament commissioners Mark Baliton and Cricket Villareal, the league aims to turn Baguio into a premier sporting hub while bringing high-caliber basketball action to the region.
The crown jewel of the multi-category tournament is the unrestricted Open Bracket, where teams can freely field active varsity standouts, former collegiate stars, current professionals, ex-PBA players, and up to three foreign imports per squad.
Former PBA standouts Vic Manuel and Marvin Hayes, along with fan favorite Kyt Jimenez, are among the prominent names expected to grace the court in the Open Bracket, which features a P200,000 cash prize for the champion.
A total of 10 competitive squads are expected to vie for top honors in the division, including out-of-town contenders such as Wild Boys San Fabian, Calasiao, and GM Construction Mangaldan from Pangasinan, Team Zambales Ground Zero, and Team Generals from Nueva Ecija.
Completing the projected Open Bracket roster are local powerhouses and regional entries Addivay Resto Bar, JG Laranang Construction, Pangasinan Hacienderos, Cobra Kai, and Grumpy Joe.
To expand its reach and bring top-tier basketball closer to regional fans, organizers are planning to hold select games outside Baguio, with potential venues targeted in Pangasinan and Nueva Ecija.
While the Open Bracket serves as the highlight, the Contractors Cup features a comprehensive four-division structure designed to engage different sectors of the basketball community.
The Inter-District division groups 20 Baguio barangays into 10 clustered teams with waived entry fees and cash prizes, coordinated through the office of Councilor Rocky Aliping to promote community involvement.
The Corporate and Government Agencies division caters strictly to bona fide employees of local and national offices, while the Hobbyist division provides a dedicated platform for non-varsity recreational players.
Organizers envision running three conferences per year for the Contractors Cup to build a sustained sports program and establish Baguio as a major hub for Philippine basketball. Roderick Osis
