WITH barely a month left before the opening of the region's biggest collegiate league, the technical committee of the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League are set to finalize the schedule of games before it opens its 24th season on Aug. 14.
Eight sports discipline are being eyed to open the year long competition with all eyes on the men's and women's basketball competition, the centerpiece tournament of the league.
Schedules of games and venues will also be finalized the soonest as the technical committee is finalizing the dates of the events.
"Most likely by July 13, all schedules of games for the first semester will be finished by July 13," University of the Cordilleras athletic director Yul Benosa said.
But more than the competition, the technical committee, composed of the nine competing colleges and universities will be up for a tough review of the eligibility of players for the various sports events. "This rule will also apply to new comers like Baguio College of Technology," Benosa said.
Benosa also said the rule on eligibility and residency will strictly be enforced.
BCT was earlier reported to have made it in the roster of the BBEAL as the tenth member, and Benosa said their application will still be up for review until the last week of July to formalize their entry.
"Although there was an initial statement that BCT is already in, they will still have to pass certain requirements needed by the executive committee," Benosa said.
Among those requirements needed are the school's number of students including its baccalaureate courses and the number of games BCT will participate in.
The current members of BBEAL are the Baguio Central University, Benguet State University, Cordillera Career Development College, Pines City Colleges, Philippine Military Academy, University of Baguio, University of the Cordilleras, University of the Philippines Baguio and Saint Louis University.
BCT will also be part of the team standings as they are reportedly joining all the sports events lined up for this year's competition.
BCT has been itching to be the 10th member of the BBEAL but it has been sidelined for the past three years. It was turned down in 2008 because it was late in submitting its application.