But focus will be on the M. Lhuillier Jewellers and the Chariot Econo Cubs, the top two teams in Cebu whose rivalry is expected to further heat up in the tournament which also attracted ML Kuarta Padala, Dazz Dishwashing Liquid and Guardo Shiatsu.
CBL president Jonathan Guardo, also the owner of the Osaka team which debuted in the PBL Challenge Cup last year, said a simple opening ceremony and a parade of colors represented by the participating squads usher in the tournament.
Although Osaka, composed mostly of members of the De La Salle team which won its third straight UAAP title last season, and the Gems are fancied to slug it out for the championship, the Jewellers and the Econo Cubs are also expected to crowd the favorites in their hunt for the title.
The Jewellers and the Econo Cubs have being going at each other’s throat in their previous couple of matches with the former winning first in the prestigious Cebu City Mayor’s Cup and the latter prevailing in the annual CBL Christmas League last year.
The event, sponsored by Thirsty, Nature’s Spring, Adidas, Coca Cola, Sunsport, POW Designs, Carmen Piramide of BBC’s Printshop, Y101 FM, Charlie Rhythms, Angel Radyo, Killer Bee, Spirit FM, DYRF and Freeman, will be telecast over SBN 6 today at 9 p.m.