Champs League draws sweet 16

The cast for Champions League 2002, the ultimate collegiate basketball tournament, is complete, with all 16 teams raring to ignite action on Nov. 10 at the Makati Coliseum.

Gathering all the champion school teams from the different collegiate leagues all over the country, Champions League 2002, according to Commissioner Ramon Fernandez, will crown the true champion among champions.

"In effect, by the end of competition, the country’s No. 1 collegiate team would be known," said Fernandez, the PBA’s first four-time MVP. "The champion could come from Metro Manila, but I caution teams like De La Salle and Ateneo and San Sebastian not to take the provincial teams lightly."

Joining the Blue Eagles, Green Archers and Stags are Santo Tomas U, University of the East, College of St. Benilde, Jose Rizal University, Philippine School of Business Administration, University of Manila, St. Francis of Assisi, Las Piñas College, University of Baguio, University of Mindanao, University of San Jose-Recoletos, University of Visayas and West Negros College.

The elimination round will be a knockout affair with the eight winning teams moving to the quarterfinal round. From there the four semifinalists will be determined, with the winners clashing for the elegant trophy in a best-of-three series.

Supported by the Basketball Association of the Philippines and endorsed by Commissioners Jun Bernardino of the PBA and Chino Trinidad of the PBL, Champions League 2002 has been envisioned as a development league from which future national teams could be formed.

"With the help of the BAP, the private sector and the school officials of the different learning institutions, we hope to establish some kind of pool from which future national players could rise from," said Joe Lipa, head of the organizing committee.

Participating leagues other than the UAAP and NCAA include the UCAA, NAASCU, CUSA, CESAFI, PRISAA and the Baguio Educational Athletic League.

Action will be aired live over NBN-4.