PBA Legend Jojo Lastimosa’s CDO Homecoming Inspires Grassroots Basketball Revival

For love of the game, PLDT Home and TNT Tropang 5G bring fans closer to the action. Basketball legend Jojo Lastimosa and stars Poy Erram, Rey Nambatac, and Glenn Khobuntin unite on stage with the lucky winners of their hand-signed TNT jerseys.

World-class basketball talent is still produced in the Philippines, but talent is insufficient without opportunity, as PBA icon and current TNT Tropang 5G team manager Jojo Lastimosa has long maintained. Sports can lead to opportunities for young athletes, but only if the proper support networks are in place. Connectivity, community, and devoted partners like PLDT Home are vital in this situation.

Since establishing the Jolas Cup in 2004, Lastimosa has promoted community basketball as a means of empower young people. PLDT Home's assistance boosted that mission in 2026, as the event has returned to Cagayan de Oro, offering the next generation access, visibility, and opportunity in addition to competitiveness.

Jolas Cup 2026, which began on April 22 at the Xavier Ateneo Sports Centre, brought together elite teams from schools and barangays throughout the city, turning the stadium into a vibrant place where talent and opportunity met. Young athletes from Cagayan de Oro and the surrounding areas competed in six divisions: 12U, 14U, 16U, 18U, 22U men's, and 22U women's. The championship games for each of the six divisions take place on May 16.

Among the companies driving the tournament's opening ceremonies was PLDT Home Fiber, which provided players and spectators with real-time updates and digital interaction that expanded the tournament's audience beyond the court.

Lastimosa and other TNT Tropang 5G athletes from Mindanao backgrounds, such as Poy Erram, Rey Nambatac, and Glenn Khobuntin, led the opening ceremonies. Their presence served as a reminder of the value of giving back, which is further enhanced by initiatives like the Jolas Cup, which are backed by partners that have similar goals.

TNT Tropang 5G players join the Jolas Cup opening in Cagayan de Oro, showing support for young athletes and championing opportunities for the next generation of hoopers.

“Malipayon gyud ko nga nakabalik ko diri sa Cagayan de Oro aron maghatag og oportunidad sa mga batan-on. Mao ni ang sinugdanan sa daghan kaayo’ng damgo (I’m truly happy to be back in Cagayan de Oro to give young players opportunities. This is where many dreams begin),” said Lastimosa.

To help kickstart the young athletes with their dreams, PLDT Home Fiber shall award all champion teams with a Fiber Plan 1699 for one year.

Local fans share a lighthearted moment with PBA legend Jojo Lastimosa during the PLDT Home Fiber Fastbreak event.

“We want to ensure they will experience meaningful connections even off the court,” Lastimosa said. 

Through branded activations, such as interactive booths and connectivity zones that let fans and families interact with the event in real time, PLDT Home brought the tournament experience closer to the community outside of the games. These programs demonstrated how dependable internet connectivity is becoming more and more crucial to the growth of sports, whether it's for sharing game highlights, accessing training materials, or remaining linked to broader prospects. Lastimosa believes that relationship is crucial to constructing Philippine basketball's future.

“Importante kaayo nga konektado ang kabatan-onan—dili lang sa internet, kundi sa ilang mga pangandoy ug oportunidad (It’s important for the youth to stay connected—not just to the internet, but to their dreams and opportunities),” he said.

TNT Tropang 5G stars Rey Nambatac, Poy Erram, and Glenn Khobuntin share hands-on tips and mentorship with Cagayan de Oro's promising young players.

Players echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how meaningful it is to return home and inspire the next generation – now with stronger platforms and support systems behind them.

By supporting initiatives like the Jolas Cup, PLDT Home continues to go beyond providing connectivity – actively supporting communities, enabling dreams, and helping young dreamers stay connected to what matters most starting from the home.

“By bridging passion and opportunity, the brand plays a vital role in shaping not just better players, but stronger futures,” said PLDT Home First Vice President for Acquisition Marketing Patrick S. Tang. “No matter where you are in the Philippines and whatever passion you pursue, we’re here for you. Count on our reliable connectivity to give you stronger, more meaningful connections as you start your dreams right at home.” 

With PLDT Home Fiber's quick and dependable internet connectivity, you can ignite your family's passions at home for everything from sports to schoolwork and more. To learn more about these fantastic fiber offers for Plan 999 and above, go to pldthome.com.

Enjoy free installation (saving P3,600), free speed boost up to 200 Mbps, unli entertainment on Cignal, and a chance to win free Fiber Broadband for Life when you apply for Fiber Unli All 1399 between May 1 and May 31, 2026! Apply before June 30, 2026, to take advantage of an exceptional discount of up to P41,000 on Samsung TVs and other items.