National Battle of Champions

[gameface_one]

Two Cebu fives in RP Battle of Champions
abs-cbnnews.com



Basketball Association of the Philippines chairman Michel Lhuillier is backing at least two top teams from Cebu when the National Battle of Champions unwraps from May 14 to 30.

Lhuillier was elated that the Federation of School Sports Associations of the Philippines (Fessap) is reviving the once-prestigious tournament, and through BAP-Central Visayas vice president Raul "Yayoy" Alcoseba said he’s keen on supporting the top Visayan squads.

"This is a big development," said BAP president Joey Lina, as he extended his gratitude to Lhuillier’s vow of support.

"Cebu has been a distinguished farm of talented future superstars, and this will give us a bigger pool of talents for the RP Team once the FIBA [International Basketball Federation] lifts its suspension on the Philippines."

Tisha Abundo, chairman of the BAP commission for school league organizations and president of the National Capital Region Athletics Association, also welcomed the development, saying the inclusion of the Cebu teams will make the event more exciting.

"I thank BAP chairman Lhuillier and BAP president Joey Lina for supporting this endeavor. Cebu’s participation in the event will surely give a big challenge to Metro Manila-based schools, and that makes the National Battle of Champions a wide open chase for the crown," said Abundo.

The champion team will have the privilege of representing the Philippines in the Thailand Prince Cup, tentatively scheduled in October.

The BAP has yet to decide who will host the event. The Yñares Gym in Antipolo City, through Gov. Casimiro Yñares Jr. of Rizal; San Juan, through Mayor JV Ejercito; and the city of Manila, through Manila Sports Council chairman Ali Atienza are considered priority host venues for the major amateur cagefest.

The tournament calls for four groups of five teams battling each other in an inter-intra format. The top two teams of each division will move into the crossover quarterfinals. The top teams of each quarterfinal group then advance to the crossover semifinals.

The revival of the National Battle of Champions will be the pilot project of Fessap, which was established in 1999 and now the umbrella organization of school-based leagues like the NCRAA, the Universities and Colleges Athletic Association, Colleges Universities Sports Association, the National Athletic Association of Schools and Universities Association, the States Colleges and Universities Athletic Association, the Leyte Amateur Athletic Association and the Philippine Schools and Universities Athletic Association.

Twenty teams are initially eyed to participate as each of the 10-member leagues of Fessap will be allowed to field in two teams. The other competing leagues are USCAA, Bacolod-based Nopcea under the helm of Anthony Agustin of West Negros College, Prisaa represented by Rizal Province and the Southern Tagalog Athletic Association.

Semifinal winners will then dispute the crown in a sudden-death championship match, while the semis losers face off for third place.

[AnthonyServinio]

As long as the NCAA and UAAP champion schools do not field representatives, this will be another so-so tournament by the suspended Chinese-controlled Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP). Sadly, the champion will not get the respect due a real champion.

[nastrans]

Challenge of Champions slated Nov. 3-9

ALL is set for the staging of the 2007 Harbour Centre—National Basketball Challenge of Champions from Novem*ber 3 to 9 at the San Andres Gym in Manila.

The 12 schools from different league organizations will join the tournament organized by the City of Manila, Federation of School Sports Asso*ciation of the Philippines (FESSAP) and the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) with support from Harbour Centre.

Group A is composed of CAVSCAA champion University of Perpetual Help in Molino, Cavite; USCAA cham*pion New Era University in Quezon City; UNIGAMES 2006-07 champion Emilio Aguinaldo College; SCUAA national champion Rizal Techno*logical University in Mandaluyong City; 61st National Inter-Collegiate champion Angeles University Foun*dation from Pampanga and Manila Sports Athletic Association (MSAA) representative City College of Manila.

In Group B are SLCUAA champion STI College from Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Las Piñas College of Colleges and Universities Sports Association (CUSA); PISCUAA cham*pion Phi*lippine Merchant Maritime School College in Las Piñas City; Cagayan de Oro PRISAA champion Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT), UCAAP champion—University of Luzon in Pangasinan and UCAA champion St. Francis of Assisi College in Metro Manila.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/...71101spo7.html

Hmmm, parang pinagsabay pa siya halos sa CCL...

The BAP is not dead I'm shock!!! <sarcasm> ;D

[AnthonyServinio]

Challenge of Champions slated Nov. 3-9

ALL is set for the staging of the 2007 Harbour Centre—National Basketball Challenge of Champions from Novem*ber 3 to 9 at the San Andres Gym in Manila.

The 12 schools from different league organizations will join the tournament organized by the City of Manila, Federation of School Sports Asso*ciation of the Philippines (FESSAP) and the Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP) with support from Harbour Centre.

Group A is composed of CAVSCAA champion University of Perpetual Help in Molino, Cavite; USCAA cham*pion New Era University in Quezon City; UNIGAMES 2006-07 champion Emilio Aguinaldo College; SCUAA national champion Rizal Techno*logical University in Mandaluyong City; 61st National Inter-Collegiate champion Angeles University Foun*dation from Pampanga and Manila Sports Athletic Association (MSAA) representative City College of Manila.

In Group B are SLCUAA champion STI College from Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Las Piñas College of Colleges and Universities Sports Association (CUSA); PISCUAA cham*pion Phi*lippine Merchant Maritime School College in Las Piñas City; Cagayan de Oro PRISAA champion Asian College of Science and Technology (ACSAT), UCAAP champion—University of Luzon in Pangasinan and UCAA champion St. Francis of Assisi College in Metro Manila.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/...71101spo7.html

Hmmm, parang pinagsabay pa siya halos sa CCL...

The BAP is not dead I'm shock!!! <sarcasm>* ;D

* * *First things first, don't worry because I don't think this league will conflict with the Champions League because with the way the CCL selection process is structured. there's no chance any of these teams will get an invite or even consideration as a wild card entry because they represent small-time schools from small-time leagues.* We are not even sure if some these leagues even exist or conducted a legitimate tournament in the last two years or so.

* * *Second, don't mind the BAP.* As long as the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (BAP-SBP) is recognized by the POC and FIBA, we have no problem.* As far as the old discredited Chinese-controlled BAP is concerned, they are not considered a national federation in the eyes of POC and FIBA.* However, they may still conduct tournaments and other basketball-related activities just like any other league or grouping like the PBA or MVBA.

[amdgc82]

Challenge of Champions opens today*
November 03, 2007 07:39 PM Saturday

* * Games* today
* * (San Andres gym)
* * 9 a.m. --* City* College of Manila* *vs.* *UPHR-Molino (A)
* * 10:30 a.m. -* Las Piñas College* vs. STI-Sta Rosa (B)* * *
* * 2:30 p.m.--* ACSAT-Cagayan* vs.* Univ. of Luzon* (B)

FEDERATION of School Sports* Association of* the* Philippines (FESSAP) chairman* *Prospero* “Butch” Pichay* *will be the* guest of honor and speaker during* the* formal opening of* *the* *2007* Harbour Centre-National* Basketball* Challenge* *of* Champions, which* *kicks off* today* at* the* San Andres* gym* in* Malate, Manila.
* *
Pichay* is* expected* to* *make the* ceremonial* toss, along* with* Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, PRISAA chairman Dr. Emmanuel Angeles and* *Basketball Association of the* Philippines (BAP)* chairman Rep. Luis Villafuerte.
* *
Manila Schools Athletic Association (MSAA)* entry* * City* College* of* *Manila* and Cavite* Schools* Colleges Athletic* Associaton (CAVSCAA)* *University of* *Perpetual* Help- Cavite* will* open* *hostilities at 9 a.m.
* *
Other* opening-day matches will pit* *Las Piñas College* *against* *STI* College-Sta. Rosa,* Laguna;* Asian College of Science* and* Technology-Cagayan* against* University of Luzon .
* *
Other teams entered in the week-long* tournament* *organized* by* *the* *BAP, FESSAP and* the* * Manila* Sports Council and* supported by* Harbour Centre* and* Vega* are USCAA and* *Philippines-Korea* Friendship Games* champion* San* Sebastian* *College-Cavite;* *2006-2007 University* Games* champion* Emilio Aguinaldo College, States Colleges Universities* Athletic Association (SCUAA)* *national champion Rizal* Technological University and* QCAA* champion Trinity University* *of* Asia, all* * bracketed in Group A;* Philippine Inter-Schools,* Colleges Universities Athletic* *Association* (PISCUA)* *champion* Philippine Merchant Marine School-Las Pinas City* *and* UCAA* champion* St. Francis of* Assisi College in Group B.
* *
All* games* will* be* played at the San* Andres* Sports Complex* *under* the* supervision of* *MASCO* through* Nino de la Cruz* and Bong* Teodosio.* *

[amdgc82]

RTU, EAC, Las Piñas win
People's Tonight*
November 05, 2007 Monday

* * * *Standings
* * * * Group A
* * * * * * * * * * * * W* * L
RTU* * * * * * * * * *1* * 0
EAC* * * * * * * * * *1* * 0
UPH-Molino* * * * *1* * 1
CCM* * * * * * * * * 0* * 2
Trinity* * * * * * * * x* * x
SSC-Cavite* * * * x* * x

* * * * *Group B
Las Pinas* * * * * *2* * 0
ACSAT* * * * * * * 1* * 1
U. Luzon* * * * * * 1* * 1
STI* * * * * * * * * *0* * 2
St. Francis* * * * *x* * x
PMMS* * * * * * * * x* * x

* * * * Games today:
* * (San* Andres gym)
* * 9 a.m. --* RTU* vs. CCM* (A)* * * * *
* 10:30 a.m. --* EAC* vs. UPHS-M (A)
* * 1p.m. -- ACSAT vs. STI (B)
* * 2:30 p.m.-- UL vs. LPC (B)

RIZAL Technology University and* Emilio Aguinaldo* College* made* rousing* debuts in* Group A,* while* Las* Pinas* College took over the lead* in Group B in* *the* Harbour* Centre- National Basketball* Challenge* of Champions* at the San Andres gym.
* *
RTU* leaned on* Ramon Litonjua’s* explosive game* to* *roll back* *opening-day winner* University of Perpetual Help -Molino,* 89-71,* for its first win in the tournament organzie dby the* *Basketball Association of the Philippines (BAP)* in cooperation with* the Manila* Sports Council* and the Federation of School* *Sports Associations of the Philippines (FESSAP).
* *
Litonjua* scattered 27 points, including* seven triples, to lead the Technocrats of coach Ato Tolentino* and* * RTU* president* Dr. Jose Macaballug* to* victory.
* *
Jayvee Alas,* Jeff* Montemayor* and* Tonton* Catacutan added 11 points apiece for RTU.
* *
EAC* *held off* City College of* Manila, 90-88,* also* for* its* first win in Group A.
John Valderama,* Jester Ebuen and Alain Musni combined* for* 57 points for* the Generals of coach Nomar Isla.
* *
Marlon dela* Cruz and Jerry Estacio* led* CCM* *with 21 and 19 points, respectvely.
* *
In Group B,* Las Pinas College* toppled Asian College fo Science and Technology, 80-75, for its seocnd straight win.
* *
Carlos Irving, a 6-3 recruit from* Cameroon,* *scored 27* points to lead* *the* Las Pinas-based* Blue Lions.
* *
Kenny* Bullo* added 14* while* Ben* Bekonti,* another recruit from Cameroon,* had* 10.
* *
Chris Bularon* paced ACSAT with 19 points, followed* by Eric* Suguitan* with 14 and* Gerald Lapuz with 12.
* *
In* the* other* Group B* game, University of Luzon nipped* STI-Sta.* Rosa, 69-64.
* *
Norman Ilao and Marvin Macalalad* had* 30* points* for UL.
* *
The* tournament is* sponsored* by* *Harbour Centre,* Summit* Mineral Water and Vega* basketballs.* * *

[amdgc82]

LPC strikes again
People's Tonight
November 06, 2007 Tuesday* *
*
* * * *Standings
* * * * Group A
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * W* * * * * * L
RTU* * * * * * * * * * *2* * * * * * *0
EAC* * * * * * * * * * *2* * * * * * *0
UPH-Molino* * * * ** 1* * * * * * *2
CCM* * * * * * * * * * 0* * * * * * *3
Trinity* * * * * * * * * x* * * * * * *x
SSC-Cavite* * * * * *x* * * * * * *x
* * * * *Group B
Las Pinas* * * * * * * *3* * * * * * 0
ACSAT* * * * * * * * * 2* * * * * * 1
U. Luzon* * * * * * ** 1* * * * * * *2
STI* * * * * * * * * * * *0* * * * * * 3
St. Francis* * * * * * *x* * * * * * x
PMMS* * * * * * * * * * x* * * * * * x

* * * * Games today:
* * (San* Andres gym)
* * 9* a.m. --* CCM* vs. Trinity (A)
* * 10:30 a.m. --* STI* *vs.* PMMS (B)
* * 1 p.m.--* * RTU* vs.* *EAC* (B)
* * 2:30 p.m. --* * UPHS-Molino vs. SSC-Cavite (A)
* * 6 p. .m.--* *SFAC* vs.* U.Luzon (B)

LAS* Pinas College* made* it* *three in a row* in the* 2007 Harbour Centre- National* Challenge of Champions basketball tournament,* beating* University of* *Luzon ,* 93-78, in* double* overtime* at* *the San Andres gym in Malate, Manila.
* *
Ben Bekonti, the 6-3 recruit from* *the* Central* African* * republic of* *Cameroon,* *mocked* *all* defenders* to* score* 31* points for* *the* * Blue* *Lions* *of* *manager David Uy and coach Jimwell Gican.
* *
Kenny* Bullo* added* 16* points* and another* Cameroon* native* Carlos* Irving* contributed 15* points for Las Pinas, which kept its* unbeaten record with three* straight wins.
* *
Norman* Ilao* paced* Univerisyt of Luzon with 26 points, followed* by* Claude* Cubo with 12 and Marvin* Macalalad with 11.
* *
Regulation* time* ended* at* 66-all* and* the* first overtime* at* 72-all.
* *
MBL* First* Conference* *runner-up ACSAT routed* STI* College-Sta. Rosa,* 97-86,* *for* * its second* win in three* starts.
* *
The Ricky Alcantara-mentored* Lightnings* drew 27* points* from* Gerald* Lapuz* *and* 20* *points* f rom* Chris* Bularon* *to* *roll* back STI-Sta.Rosa.
* * *
In* Group A,* *Rizal Technological* * University* defeated* *City* Colleges of* *Manila, 116-100, and Emilio Aguinaldo College whipped* *University* of* *Perpetual Help-Molino,* 91-49, for their second* straight wins.
* *
The Technocrats, who are seeking* *another* *title* *under coach Ato Tolentino,* *rode on* the* hot* hands* of* Ramon* Litonjua (23 points), Juan* Uao (1, Tonton* Catacutan* (1,* Ricky Murillo (14)* and* *J eff* *Montemayor (14).
* *
Jervy Estacio* and* Marlon Dela Cruz* led CCM with 26 points* apiece.
* *
EAC also got double-digit scores* from three* *mainstays to* whip* *UPH-Molino. Alain* Musni led* *the Generals with* 17* points,* followed* by* * Jeff Galang and* Romeo Fotue* with 12.
* *
The tournament is organized by the Basketball Association of the Philippines in cooperation* with the Federation of* School Sports Association* of* *the Philippines and the* Manila Sports Council.
* *
Major* sponsors* are* *Harbour Centre,* Summit* Mineral Water,* *and Vega* Basketballs.*

[amdgc82]

Las Piñas College posts third consecutive win
The Manila Times
Tuesday, November 06, 2007

LAS PIÑAS COLLEGE needed two overtimes to turn back stubborn University of Luzon, 93-75, and grab the solo leadership in the Harbour Centre-First National Basketball Challenge of Champions Monday at the San Andres Gym in Malate.

The Las Piñas dribblers, who trailed by as many as 15 points in the fourth quarter of regulation, charged back behind RJ Terez’s three treys and Ben Bekonti’s short stab to force the first overtime, 62-all, and again tied the score at 72-all, for another extra five minutes.

LPC, however, pounced on UL’s rash of errors to finally put the game away in the second extension and clinch its third win in as many games in the tournament organized by the Manila Sports Council in cooperation with the City of Manila and the Basketball Association of the Philippines and backed by Harbour Centre Port Terminal, Summit Mineral Water and Vega, the official ball.

University of Luzon dropped to 0-2.

Bekonti, a native of Cameroon, led Las Piñas with 31 points followed by Kenny Bullo with 16, while another Cameroon native, Carlos Irving, added 15.

Earlier, the Loreto Tolentino-coached Rizal Technological University rolled to its second win at the expense of City College of Manila, 116-110.

ACSAT, which took an 80-75 loss to LPC late Monday for an even 1-1 card, got back on track with a 97-86 stomping of STI-Sta. Rosa, while Emilio Aguinaldo College tied RTU at 2-0 with a 91-49 rout of University of Perpetual Help-Molino.

[amdgc82]

CCM outplays Trinity
People's Tonight
November 07, 2007 Wednesday

* * * *Standings
* * * * Group A
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * W* * * * * * *L
EAC* * * * * * * * * * * *3* * * * * * * 0
RTU* * * * * * * * * * * *2* * * * * * * 1
SSC-Cavite* * * * * * 1* * * * * * * 0
CCM* * * * * * * * * * * 1* * * * * * * 3
UPH-C* * * * * * * * * * 1* * * * * * * 3
Trinity* * * * * * * * * * 0* * * * * * *1
* * * * *Group B
Las Pinas* * * * * * * * 3* * * * * * * 0
ACSAT* * * * * * * * ** 2* * * * * * * 1
U. Luzon* * * * * * * ** 1* * * * * * * *2
STI* * * * * * * * * * * * 1* * * * * * * *3
PMMS* * * * * * * * * ** 0* * * * * * * 1
St. Francis* * * * * * * x* * * * * * * *x

* * Games today:
* * (San Andres gym)
* * 9 a.m. --* *EAC* vs. Trinity* (A)
* * 10:30 a.m. --* PMMS* vs. U niv. of* Luzon* (B)
* * 1 p.m. --* *St. Francis* vs.* *STI* (B)
* * 2 p.m. --* San* Sebastian-Cavite vs. CCM* (A)

HOST* City* College* of* Manila finally* barged* into the win column by* humbling* debuting* Trinity* University-Quezon City,* 108-102, in* * the* 2007* *Harbour Centre-National* Challenge of Champions at the San Andres gym in Malate, Manila.
* *
Carmelo Arambulo* scattered 25* *points* to lead a balanced scoring* *attack* *for* *CCM* of* *coach Randy Alcantara.
* * *
Three other mainstays --* Jervy Estacio, Dereck* Misajon and* Marlon Dela Cruz -- also scored in double* figures* *for CCM.
* *
Vincent Medrana* * and* *Jayson Magadia* led the Broncos* with 27 and* 17 points,* respectively.
* *
Equally impressive was STI Sta Rosa* *(Laguna),* which* * edged Philippine Merchant Marine Schools* (PMMS) , 71-69, for its first* win* in* four outings.
* *
The Olympians were led by* *John* *Batisan* with* *19* and* Richie Garing* *and* *Winston Balmaceda* with 13.
* *
In other matches, Emilio Aguinaldo* College won over Rizal Technological University and* San* Sebastian College-Cavite* *downed Univerisytof Perpetual* Help-Molino (Cavite).
* *
The* 12-team tournament* is being organized* by the Basketball* Association* of* the Philippiines (BAP)* *in* cooperation with* the Federation of School Sports* *Association of* the Philippines (FESSAP)* and* th e* Manila Sports Council (MASCO).
* *
Major sponsor is Habrour Centre.

[amdgc82]

STI-Sta. Rosa stuns SFAC *
People's Tonight
November 08, 2007 Thursday

* * * *Standings
* * * * Group A
* * * * * * * * * * * *W* * * * *L
EAC* * * * * * * * 4* * * * * 0
SSC-Cavite* * * 2* * * * * 0
RTU* * * * * * * * 2* * * * * 1
UPH-Molino* * * 1* * * * * *3
CCM* * * * * * * * 1* * * * * *4
Trinity* * * * * * *0* * * * * *2
* * * * *Group B
Las Pinas* * * * *3* * * * * *0
ACSAT* * * * * * 2* * * * * *1
STI* * * * * * * * *2* * * * * *3
St. Francis* * * *1* * * * * *1
PMMS* * * * * * * 1* * * * * *1* *
U. Luzon* * * * * 1* * * * * *4

* * *Games today:
* *(San Andres gym)
* * 9 a.m. --* ACSAT vs. PMMS* (A)
* * 10:30 a.m. --* Trinity* vs UPHS-M (A)
* * 1 p.m. --* *Las Pinas vs* St. Francis (B)
* * 2:30 p.m. -- RTU* vs SSC-Cavite (A)

SOUTHERN Luzon Colleges and* Universities* Athletic* Association (SLCUAA)* champion STI-Sta. Rosa ended* *its elimination-round campaign with a bang, beating UCAA champion St. Francis of Assissi* College, 77-75,* in* the* 2007 Harbour Centre-National* Basketball Challenge of* Champions* *basketball tournament in* San* Andres gym in Malate, Manila.
* *
Handled* by* coach Leo Callado and* sports* coordinator Mike Fudotan,* the* Sta. Rosa City-based team relied on Winston Balmaceda and* *John* Batisan* *to pull the rug from under* the* Doves.
* *
Balmaceda, a* 5-8* guard,* *scored 20 points while Batisan added 12* points. for STI-Sta Rosa, who* closed out with* a* 2-3 mark in this* 12-team* tournament supported* by* Harbour Centre.
* *
Richie Garing* and* Jeff Yambao* contributed 19 and 12 points,* for STI.
* *
Raymund Ilagan* and* *Leomar Losentes scored 19 and 12 points for the* *Doves, who* debuted with a* 86-85 victory* over Universaity of Luzon* late Tuesday.* * * * In another Group B encounter,* * PMMS* *downed University of Luzon,* 89-79, for its first win in* two* outings.
* *
Jesse Bustos, Jerome Canico, Mark Chiong and Romualdo Abenio* combined for 57 points for* the* PISCUAA champion.
* *
In Group A,* Emilio Aguinaldo College* downed Trinity University, 104-90,* and San* Sebastian College-C avite* * nipped City College of Manila, 83-79.*
* *
Gester Ebuen fired 23 points for the* Generals, who* posted* their third straight win.* * *
* *
John Valderama and Romeo Tofue* added 17 and 11 points, respecitvely, for* the* *Generals* of coach* Nomar Isla.
* *
Lester Susi and Michael Espa paced* the Broncos with 19 and 14 points.
* *
The Baycats relied* on* *Oliver Villareal and Kris Lucernas to* beat* CCM.