INQUIRER Sports

GAMES NOV. 8 (Ynares Center, Pasig City)
1 p.m.—Opening ceremony
2 p.m.—Pharex vs Harbour Centre
4 p.m.—Nutri-C-Ateneo vs Sunkist-La Salle

MANILA, Philippines—Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University bring their rivalry to the Women’s Philippine Basketball League in a bid to boost the revival of the tournament.

Nutri-C-Ateneo tangles with Sunkist-La Salle right on the Nov. 8 opening of women’s caging at 4 p.m.

“These two schools have a classic rivalry, so I’m sure it will rub off on the WPBL,” said PBL commissioner Chino Trinidad.

Five-time PBL champion Harbour Centre and Pharex earlier tangle at 2 p.m. to kick off the men’s tournament at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City.

Two other college top seeds resume their feud as UAAP champion Far Eastern University, backed by Oracle Residences, and runner-up University of the Philippines together with Smart Sports, clash anew as favorites in the 11-team field that also includes the national women and youth teams.

“I hope it will further enhance the popularity of women’s basketball in the country,” said PBL chair Mikee Romero. “Right now, we got a good feedback from the FIBA (International Basketball Federation) itself and the Women’s Basketball of Australia.”

The league closed shop in 1999 after crowning Ever Bilena as champ.

Ever Bilena will again shoot for the championship along with Bacchus Energy Drink, Mail and More and two other school-based teams -- Pharex-College of St. Benilde and Muscletape-Lyceum of the Philippines University.

Competing as guest squads are the Discovery Suites-Philippine Women’s Team and the RP Youth Team.