MULTITITLED Centro Escolar University looms as the heavy favorite when the maiden edition of the Universities and Colleges Basketball League (UCBL) gets going on Oct. 8 at Olivarez College gym in Parañaque.
The Scorpions, who have won numerous titles in other collegiates leagues including the Naascu, headline the seven-team roster of the newly formed league, which aims to provide players a platform to showcase their talents on a much wider stage.
Universities and Colleges Athletic League president Franklin Evidente said the league has signed a deal with the Asian Television Content (ATC) Sports to boost the league. Games will be shown on a delayed basis on IBC 13.
Tournament director Horacio Lim said the Scorpions are in for a tough challenge in the league presented by EuroMed and Lamoiyan Corp.
Bulacan State University, Colegio de San Lorenzo, Diliman College, Olivarez College, Technological Institute of the Philippines and University of Batangas are also in the fold.
Lim said the UCBL will put emphasis on quality officiating which he believes is the barometer of a collegiate league’s lifespan.
Tapped to officiate the games are members of the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas headed by Liberato Valenzuela with Arnel Bermeo and Melo Navarro as technical group officials.
“We are doing our best to make our opening a day to remember,” said Evidente. “We are confident that our partnership with ATC Sports and IBC 13 will unearth future basketball stars and provide publicity for our league schools.”