In the midst of the intense showdown on the hardwood floor, Taipei Fubon Braves Import Marko Todorovic couldn’t help but take in the moment and savor where his squad was doing battle.

After all, he wasn’t wearing an Abra Weavers jersey, nor was he representing the Philippines in any way. Todorovic and his crew were locked in a battle against Macau Hou Chon inside the SM Seaside Cebu Arena for the opening game of EASL Tipoff 2026.

It might be a difficult ask for the home crowd to watch a game where their squad isn’t competing. But that wasn’t the case for this match, as several thousand fans already packed the stands before the start of the game, leaving Todorovic thankful— and slightly bewildered at the support.

“I’m surprised about the very welcoming people,” Todorovic shared. “Many, many warm people and this gym is beautiful.”

“This is like an NBA game,” he added. “It’s very nice to be here.”

Indeed, the two games proved to be a hit with the local crowd, as they were into each second of basketball action, even prior to tipoff of the Philippine representatives, the Weavers. Not only that, with Eric “Eruption” Tai engaging the crowd with his energy and dance moves, it was one big fiesta vibe from start to finish.

All in all, over 10,000 people packed the SM Seaside Cebu Arena- setting a new all-time record for Group Stage Games attendance in the EASL.

The energy even translated to the court. Macau Hou Chon trailed by as many as 28 points in the second half, but they were relentless in trying to make a comeback. This was a perfect scenario, as the Philippine fans love an underdog. And so they began to cheer on Hou Chon like they were the local team.

“Being able to play off the energy, I think it did help us make a little bit of a push to try to get within 10 in the last 2 minutes,” Hou Chon guard Phoenix Shackelford admitted.

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“We’re not their team, right? They’re just neutral fans— but that’s how you know they love basketball,” Hou Chon Coach Matthew Van Pelt shared. “I always say basketball in the Philippines is like a religion. They treat it as such, and as somebody that— I don’t have too much life balance, I’m obsessed with basketball, I can really respect that and resonate with that.”

“I love that, about this country,” Van Pelt remarked. “It’s consistent, regardless of the league or the game or the teams that are playing or the age— it could be youth basketball, right? Just the fans show up.”

“I loved the Cebu crowd,” Shackelford added. “You guys love basketball— it’s phenomenal. And it’s definitely put a stamp on my heart and I really appreciate it.

Eventually, the Braves and Hou Chon would give way to the home team Abra Weavers competing against Hong Kong Eastern. And in a gritty and physical showdown, the Weavers ensured that the supportive crowd would go home all smiles, winning 79-72 over the feisty Eastern squad.

With each Jaylen Johnson shimmy, Dave Ildefonso fadeaway, and Freddy Ibrahim crossover, the Cebu crowd was all oohs and aahs. Though the Weavers represented a different province in the MPBL, an outsider wouldn’t be able to tell based on the atmosphere inside the SM Seaside Cebu Arena. Inside those four walls and 40 minutes of action, it truly became Philippines versus the World.

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“It was amazing,” Eastern star Jenning Leung admitted. “They were loud. It was a great atmosphere, definitely memorable. The Arena is amazing.”

“I was amazed by the support of the Cebuanos,” Weavers Yong Garcia gratefully shared. “The atmosphere was intense— it was like a Finals game. So I’m really thankful to the Cebuanos for their prayers and support.”

After more than four hours of basketball with an unforgettable wild P100,000 halfcourt shot and a show-stopping halftime performance from Cookie$, the curtain closed on Tipoff 2026 for the EASL. But one thing’s for certain, with this kind of momentum and energy, this was exactly the start that the EASL needed to signify that Season 4 is going to be a wild ride.

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