Tiaong set to emerge as the next sporting hub

For the municipality of Tiaong, Quezon, the D2 Super Cup is the next step in its quest to build itself as a key sporting cog for the province.

Already basking in the glow of Batang Tiaong's achievements in the recently-concluded NBTC, highlighted by their 64-41 thrashing of Ateneo in the Super 24, having the PSL-organized D2 Super Cup at its Tiaong Convention Center aims to solidify that foundation.

In fact, the local government, led by its Mayor RJ Mea expects it to be a recurring event. He shares to the media, "Ito pong liga natin ngayon ay hindi magiging first time lang. Mauulit po ito. At hindi lang po sports ang plano natin kundi pati ang promotion ng tourist spots at makakuha ng investors para lalong makilala ang bayan ng Tiaong."

Second district of Quezon Province Representative Jayjay Suarez adds, "Naniniwala po ako na this will be start of a lot more big events, it may not be in sports, but with (the) convention center, makakapagbigay ng opportunity sa ating mga bata sa second district."

Tiaong has a representative in the touranment, called the Tiaong MEAksyon and bannered by the core of student-athletes from Mapua in the NCAA. The squad won its opening game on Friday, defeating Gumaca, 70-58, with Kobe Dalisay scoring seventeen points.

Aside from the D2 Super Cup, the four thousand-seater Convention Center and its backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountain range is set to host a PBA on Tour event on June 10, where the Meralco Bolts and the San Miguel Beermen will tangle at 5pm.

The LGU is also looking to build additional facilities around the TCC, including hotels and restaurants, to help cultivate not only the growth of Tiaong's sports program, but also its economy through tourism. It also would help cement the second district of Quezon's ambitious plans of becoming a bigger figure in the sporting map both regionally and nationally.

As exciting as the upstart tourney is, there’s more to it than just mere games and competition as Tiaong eyes to make it an annual event to steady the growth of its sports program and promote its rich history, culture, tourism and economy at the same time.