Precision, pressure, and passion converged at the Marikina Hotel & Convention Center as the ₱500,000 Soncuya Cup 2026 National Darts Tournament delivered three days of world-class competition from January 16 to 18. Sanctioned and organized by the National Darts Federation of the Philippines (NDFP) in partnership with the City Government of Marikina, the event once again affirmed its status as one of the most important stops in the national darts calendar.
Backed by major sponsors San Miguel Corp. (SMC), Robson Sportscraft, and Overtime Sports Bar, and supported by Chris Sports and Endpoint.ph, the tournament drew hundreds of players from across the country. With the Robson Razor Plus as the official dartboard, the Soncuya Cup served as a full-fledged NDFP National Ranking Event, raising both stakes and standards.
Academia Claims Open Singles Crown
The spotlight shone brightest in the Open Singles, where a massive field of 229 players battled for supremacy. Rising above them all was Greg Academia (Mama’s Choice), whose calm finishing and consistent scoring earned him the championship. Academia outlasted John Ray Sajol (GMD SPV) in a tense final, while Yves Kenneth Binay-an (La Trinidad, Benguet) and William Bantiding (LTDO/KD) shared third place honors.
The depth of talent was evident in the later rounds, with established names like Ian Perez, Marion Omac, and Anthony Melendres all making deep runs, underscoring the competitiveness of Philippine darts today.
Triple Threats and Dynamic Duos
In the Classified Draw Triples, featuring 291 players, teamwork and timing proved decisive.
The trio of Jaypee Detablan (Pacman Barabida), Robert Padilla (Darts Underground), and James Visaya (Oil Bank) emerged as champions after navigating a stacked field. They edged out the strong Kuku-Robson-Cadass combination of Herbert Dalayday, Ferdie Empleo, and Japhet Malaluan in the finals.
The Classified Draw Doubles saw Marion Omac and Nong Samones of Kumpadres claim another major title, reinforcing Omac’s reputation as one of the most versatile competitors of the weekend. They defeated Nayr Ocampo and Makhail Celemin for the crown in a division that featured 362 players, one of the largest draws of the tournament.
Pacman/Barabida Dominates Team Play
Team events brought electric energy to the hall, none more so than the Fixed 4-Man Team competition, which featured 89 teams. PACMAN / BARABIDA, composed of Jhay Doria, Christian Delos Reyes, Jaypee Detablan, and Mark Canapi, showcased cohesion and clutch play to secure the championship.
They were challenged strongly by PACMAN / MAMA’S CHOICE, led by Open Singles champion Greg Academia, who settled for second place.
Youth, Ladies, and Seniors Shine
The future of Philippine darts was on full display in the Youth Singles, where Japhet Malaluan (Cadass) captured the title among 84 young throwers, defeating Dart Decena (Metrix Bolts) in the final.
In the Ladies Singles, Giselle Bulahao (Kumpadres) stood tallest in a field of 43 players, besting Janjan Hinojales (Robson) to claim the championship, while DOT Overtime’s Bebang Orbeta and Aileen Oclarit shared third.
Experience ruled the day in the Senior Singles, as Benjamin Agustin Jr (Cadass) emerged champion over Eddie Barsobia (Kumpadres Adan Builders), proving that precision only sharpens with time.
A Celebration of Philippine Darts
From youth prospects to seasoned veterans, the Soncuya Cup 2026 was more than a tournament—it was a celebration of the sport’s growth nationwide. With packed brackets, smooth organization, and strong support from both the private sector and local government, Marikina once again proved to be a fitting stage for darts excellence.
As ranking points were earned and rivalries renewed, one thing was clear: Philippine darts continues to rise, and the Soncuya Cup remains a bullseye on the national sporting calendar.
(All photos courtesy of NDFP FB page.)
