THE THIRD Collegiate Champions League kicks off today with two games on tap at the San Beda College gym.
San Beda College, one of the top four teams of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), tests the mettle of University of Manila in the main game at 4 p.m.
University of the Philippines, a last-minute replacement for De La Salle University, takes on Emilio Aguinaldo College in the first game at 2 p.m.
Philippine coach Chot Reyes has been invited as guest of honor in the oneof-a-kind tournament that pits the country’s top collegiate teams in a knockout format.
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) champion Philippine Christian University, the top seed, won’t see action until Feb. 24.
Defending champion Far Eastern University, runner-up in the Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP), is ranked second followed by University of Perpetual Help and Ateneo de Manila in that order.
UAAP titlist La Salle has begged off from the tournament due to fatigue.
Still, the tournament boasts a high-powered cast that includes top varsity squads from the South.
University of Visayas is tipped to give Manilabased squads a run for their money.
Completing the 16team cast are University of Mindanao, University of Southern Philippines, West Negros College, University of Cebu, University of San Jose Recoletos, Letran and University of the East.
Rey Gamboa, chairman of the organizing committee, said the league hopes to provide a venue to hone the country’s future stars.
"From these ranks will emerge future members of the national team," said Gamboa, former chairman of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Chino Trinidad, the Champions League commissioner, said he expects lively and spirited competition owing to the unique format.
"Every game is do-ordie for each team. You lose, you go home," said Trinidad, who also runs the Philippine Basketball League (PBL).
The champion team will receive
R500,000 which goes directly to the school’s sports development program. The runner-up earns R150,000 while the third placer gets R50,000.
Cebu will host four games set Feb. 13 and Feb. 15 at the Cebu Coliseum.
Pitted in the pre-Valentine matches are University of Mindanao against University of Southern Philippines and WNC against University of Cebu, the winners of which advancing against USJ-R and UV, respectively on Feb. 15.
Games will be covered live and a delayed basis by government channel NBN Channel 4. Admission is free in all venues.
