HOST Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) wants accredited referees from the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) to officiate the men's and women's basketball tournament for the upcoming opening of the Baguio-Benguet educational Athletic League (BBEAL).

Eduardo Laureano, member of the technical committee of the BBEAL from host school CCDC, said the opening of the 33rd season will have the SBP officiating the centerpiece tournament with University of Baguio defending both men's and women's crown.

"We have not asked any group to officiate. But, what we want is that basketball referees should be members of the SBP," he said.

Laureano added BBEAL has yet to choose a commissioner and will be naming after a technical and executive meeting on August 24 to finalize all the details of the BBEAL's upcoming season.

"All concerns such as schedule of games for the first phase and the different commissioners for the 10 events will be discussed on the 24th," Laureano said.

Laureano added that archery, badminton, baseball, chess, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis, and wushu will all be played in the first semester, while 10 other sports will see action in the second phase of the competition including the men's and women's volleyball.

Kings College of the Philippines (KCP), after being admitted as 11th member in season 29 which hosted the league two years ago, is taking a leave of absence.

Aside from KCP, Pines City Colleges is also thinking of skipping the basketball tournament. But Luareano said there is no final word on Pines yet.

Other members of the BBEAL are Baguio Central University, Baguio College of Technology, Benguet State University, Philippine Military Academy, University of the Cordilleras, University of the Philippines-Baguio, and Saint Louis University.

BBEAL's new season will start October 4 with a simple opening program at the CCDC gym.