AT LEAST nine teams will see action in the men’s division while eight other squads vie for the top honors in the distaff side of the basketball tournament when the 32nd season of the Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League unfurls October 27.

In Bracket A, defending champion University of the Cordilleras will have its hands full against last year’s fourth place finisher Saint Louis University, Benguet State University and the Philippine Military Academy.

Bunched in Bracket B is last year’s runner –up Baguio College of Technology, many time BBEAL champion University of Baguio, Baguio Central University, Cordillera Career Development College, and season host University of the Philippines–Baguio.

In the women’s side, defending champion UB will lead Bracket A and will go up against SLU, BCT, ad BSU while teams in bracket B are UC, PMA, Pines City Colleges, and Kings College of the Philippines.

Basketball commissioner Djalma Arnedo said each team will play all competing schools in the their brackets with the top three teams after the eliminations advancing to the second round and will play the all the other squads in the other bracket.

“The top four teams after the eliminations and the crossover, will have final four format wherein the top two teams gets a twice to beat advantage,” he said.

NLEX Road Warriors and Philippine national basketball team head coach Yeng Guiao is set to give out an inspirational message to the athletes of the 11 school conclave.

Originally slated October 20, the opening was moved to a later date to accommodate the schedule of the current Philippine team head coach, a UP alumnus himself.

Prior to the opening, a two-day refresher course is being eyed in an effort to level up officiating as well as coaching.

The two-day workshop set on October 6 and 7 at the UB gym will be venue to improve officiating of referees and table officials as well as to update coaches on the latest FIBA rules.

Aside from the centerpiece basketball tournament, other sports event being eyed for the first phase are archery, badminton, chess, swimming, table tennis, and wushu. (Roderick Osis)