IT’S all systems go for the upcoming Baguio–Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) when it ushers its new season on October 27.
Fiery NLEX Road Warriors coach Yeng Guiao is set to give out an inspirational message to the athletes of the 11 school conclave with the University of the Philippines (UP)–Baguio hosting the 32nd season.
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 will be venue to improve officiating of referees and table officials as well as to update coaches on the latest FIBA rules.
Djalma Arnedo was appointed commissioner during the BBEAL executive meeting on September 12, beating last year’s commissioner, Danilo Soria.
Aside from the centerpiece basketball tournament, other sports event being eyed for the first phase are archery, badminton, chess, swimming, table tennis, and wushu.
This year, the largest collegiate league in Northern Luzon is once again seeking the support of the Philippine Sports Commission.
Last year, the PSC gave a P200,000 financial assistance to the BBEAL.
University of Baguio will have its hands full when it defends the over-all crown winning the men’s wushu, men’s badminton, men’s swimming, women’s archery, man and women’s table tennis, men’s chess, and women’s basketball.
In the second phase, UB went home with the crowns in women’s athletics, men’s judo, boxing, muay thai, arnis (men and women) and the men’s and women’s volleyball.
The University of the Cordilleras, after winning the men’s basketball competition, settled for second place after topping women’s wushu, men’s archery, women’s chess, baseball, men’s athletics, women’s judo, men and women’s taekwondo.
Saint Louis University’s placed third winning the title in women’s badminton, sepak takraw, men and women’s tennis.
Other member schools include Philippine Military Academy, Benguet State University, Baguio Central School, Baguio College of Technology, Cordillera Career Development College, Pines City Colleges and Kings Colleges of the Philippines. (Roderick Osis)