The best of the best from the UAAP, NCAA, NAASCU and UCBL will take centerstage as Ballout Sports will bring the Inter-Collegiate Champions Challenge, which begins on March 25.
Led by Ateneo and University of the Philippines, teams which disputed the championship of the UAAP the past two seasons, the developed rivalry between the two squads will spill over in this coming tournament headed by coaching legend Joe Lipa, who serves as league commissioner and being helped out by president and chief executive officer Cris Bautista and former PBA player Ronald Magtulis, who is the head of the basketball operations.
Two seasons ago, the Fighting Maroons were able to escape the Blu Eagles of Ateneo, but last year, it was the Katipunan-based squad which prevailed over their rivals from Diliman.
Joining the two teams are NCAA champion Letran and runner-up College of St. Benilde, while teams from NAASCU will be represented by St. Clare and Enderun while UBL will be spearheaded by Centro Escolar University and Olivarez College.
League officials are still finalizing the details of the venue, but they’re looking at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig as prospective playing hub of this tournament.
Just recently, a new champion emerged in Marikina, which ruled the second season by beating Xentro Mall Rizal.
Both teams are using this as their preparatory tournament for the coming Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League.
