WITH the theme "Revelry More Than Rivalry," the Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) opens its 24th Season Sunday at the BSU covered court with hostilities in basketball and volleyball, kicking off the largest collegiate competition north of Manila.
The 2008 men's basketball Cordillera Career Development College Admirals and host BSU Wildcats square off at 11 a.m. at the CCDC gymnasium.
Perennial runner-up Saint Louis University Navigators, on the other hand, takes perennial whipping boy Pines City Colleges Warriors in the 2 p.m. encounter, while the University of the Cordilleras Jaguars face-off against the University of the Philippines Baguio Maroons later in the afternoon.
Baguio Central University Eagles will battle the Philippine Military Academy Cavaliers in the 4 p.m. encounter, while the Lady Admirals and the Lady Eagles square off at 5:30 p.m.
Action resumes Sunday also at the CCDC gym with the defending women's basketball champion Lady Navigators taking on the Lady Maroons, which starts at 9 a.m. followed by the Lady Jaguars-Lady Admirals encounter. University of Baguio Lady Cardinals then takes on BSU Lady Wildcats at 1 p.m.
All eyes will be on the men's basketball defending champion UB Cardinals as it takes on the Wildcats in the 2:30 p.m. encounter, while the Cavaliers take on the PCC Warriors later in the afternoon.
The UC Jaguars, meanwhile, gun for another crown in the men's and women's volleyball with six games opening the competition also at the BSU Gymnasium.
The men's and the ladies defending champion will see action in an eight game bill Sunday where they take on the PCC Warriors.
Four games will open in the women's competition Saturday morning led by the UP Lady Maroons squaring off with the Lady Wildcats, Lady Eagles versus Lady Admirals, Lady Cardinals against the Lady Warriors, and the Lady Navigators against the Lady Cavaliers while two games will be played in the men's side with SLU taking on PCC and UP battling host BSU.
Several performing groups from the participating schools such as the UP dance troupe, BSU dance troupe and the UB voices will render special numbers during the opening program while freebies from Smart will also be given away to lucky spectators.
The awarding ceremony will also give special citations and recognitions to Jennifer G. Inovero, Daniel V. Soria, Danilo Eduardo, Estrelita N. Corpuz and CCDC president James M. Malaya for the exemplary services they rendered during the BBEAL's 23rd season when it was hosted by CCDC.