DAVAO CITY — Davao-based basketball stars were in attendance to inspire the young players during the opening of the 2025 Escandor Cup Intercollegiate basketball tournament at the Davao City Recreation Center last Saturday.

Former Magnolia star Peter June Simon, former San Beda University standout Pong Escobal and Phoenix Super LPG forward Francis Escandor took their time to reach out to the participants of this prestigious annual cagefest that is part of the city’s celebration of the 2025 Kadayawan Festival.

For one, Escandor, who also played for Rain or Shine in his rookie season in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), narrated his experience competing in the Escandor Cup while he was still a varsity player for Ateneo de Davao University.

“We are happy that the league has grown after all these years,” said Escandor, referring to the league named after his father, Glenn Escandor, a Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas director in Region IX and is considered as the basketball godfather in the province.

“Before, we started only for high school teams then evolved to the collegiate ranks. This is an avenue were our local players can show their skills.”

A total of 21 teams are seeing action in the Escandor Cup in which the top 10 squads will advance to the Davao Schools Athletic Federation, Inc. this September.