In a league built on physical play and long-standing rivalries, Kath Jumapao continues to prove she belongs.
The 2026 Philippine Councilors League–Cebu Sportsfest officially tipped off on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at the Capitol Parish Gym, opening with three games that set the tone for another competitive season. Among the familiar faces on the court, Jumapao, 34, stood out as the only female player in the tournament—a distinction she has carried for four straight seasons.
Playing for the 5th District, Jumapao helped her team secure an 84–73 win over the 2nd District in the day’s second game. While scoring leaders Jean Jacque Antiqua (25 points), Rashid Tacocong (20), and Raymund Comendador (17) powered the offense, Jumapao provided steady minutes and composure as the 5th District pulled away in the final quarter.
Her return to the court came on the heels of Typhoon Tino, which heavily impacted several municipalities in the 5th District. Now serving her second term as municipal councilor of Liloan, Jumapao balanced recovery efforts at home with preparation for the league—an effort reflected in her disciplined play.
A multi-sport athlete, Jumapao brings a deep competitive background to the PCL. She played basketball for the University of San Carlos from 2008 to 2011 before switching to volleyball from 2011 to 2014. She also represented Liloan in the Governor’s Cup from 2007 to 2011, gaining early experience in high-level provincial competition.
“I’m used to playing with men,” Jumapao said, noting that she has spent most of her athletic career competing in male-dominated leagues. That experience shows in her court awareness and physical readiness, developed further through years of participation in ball clubs and government employee leagues.
The PCL basketball tournament, now more than a decade, resumed this year after schedule disruptions caused by last year’s calamities. Jumapao has been part of the league since 2022, when the 5th District reached the finals but lost to the 4th District led at the time by Daanbantayan Mayor Sun Shimura, now a member of the House of Representatives. In 2024, the 1st District, bannered by Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony “Samsam” Gullas Jr., claimed the championship, with the 4th District finishing as first runner-up.
Now in her fourth season with the league and serving as one of the PCL Board of Directors, Jumapao remains focused on competition rather than distinction. Her goal, she said, is simple: “to play at the highest level possible.”
Off the court, she continues to train for marathons and Ironman 70.3 events, conditioning that translates well to the grind of a full basketball tournament.
As the season unfolds, Jumapao’s presence adds another layer to the league’s narrative—not as a novelty, but as a proven competitor holding her own in one of Cebu’s toughest basketball stages.
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