MANILA, Philippines – The Universities and Colleges Athletic League, Inc. (UCAL) kicks off next month with seven schools clashing for the inaugural crown in the league, banking on better officiating and a nationwide TV exposure for the participating teams.
Called the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL), the tournament was conceptualized to provide opportunities to student-athletes of the seven participating schools as well as showcase their talent and skills on a broader stage.
This early, UCAL president Franklin Evidente expressed excitement for the all-out support of the school owners and league directors as well as preparations being undertaken by various committees to make the opening day special.
“We are happy that we are about to take off and we are doing our best to make it a day to remember,” said Evidente during the contract-signing between the league and the Asian Television Content (ATC) Sports – its TV coveror.
Evidente said all games will be shown on a delayed basis on IBC 13, including the opening ceremonies set on Oct. 8 at the Olivarez College gym in Parañaque City.
“We are confident that our partnership with ATC Sports and IBC 13 will not only discover future basketball stars but will also provide additional publicity to our participating schools,” said Evidente. “There are about 220 colleges and universities nationwide, 140 of which are in Metro Manila. Only a handful of schools gain nationwide exposure through televised tournaments. “Multi-titled Centro Escolar University has been installed as favorite to win the inaugural tournament, but tournament director Horacio Lim insists otherwise.
“The CEU Scorpions may be the most experienced team right now but other teams are capable of pulling off surprises,” said Lim, who will be assisted by Hapee Toothpaste manager Bernard Yang.
Also taking part in the tournament presented by EuroMed and Lamoiyan Corp. are Bulacan State University, Colegio De San Lorenzo, Diliman College, Olivarez College, Technological Institute of the Philippines and University of Batangas.
The league, according to Lim, will be strict when it comes to officiating, saying the lifespan and stability of a basketball league largely depends on officiating.
“We will not tolerate mediocre officiating, we will kick out those who will commit booboos,” said the former Mapua mentor.
Tapped to officiate the games are members of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas to be headed by Liberato Valenzuela with Arnel Bermeo and Melo Navarro as members of the technical group.