BBEAL 31st season opens, Admirals open title hunt

THE 31st season of the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League ushers in today with host Kings College of the Philippines opening the year long sports event with a festive celebration honoring the best collegiate athletes in the Cordillera region.

At least 10 sports event will kick off the two phase meet including the centerpiece basketball event with the University of the Cordilleras Jaguars defending their title in the men’s side while the University of Baguio Lady Cardinals eyeing another repeat in the distaff side.

Two time men’s champion Cordillera Career Development College Admirals kicks of their campaign with Del Finrie Bestre Atinyao taking over the coaching chores for the Buyagan, La Trinidad based dribblers taking over from the reigns of former tactician Kurt Panagan.

Panagan was instrumental in leading the Admirals to its first finals appearance in 2015 since winning the title in 2007 and 2008 but fell against the tougher UB Cardinals in two games.

At that time, Atinyao was among the team’s vital cog that swept the eliminations round booking a ticket to the regional leg of the2015 Philippine Collegiate Champions League.

According to the Admirals’ Facebook page, Atinyao was a dominant post player and one of the best defensive player in the post leading his team to three BBEAL Final Four appearance from 2014 to 2016.

Other sports events to be played in the first phase include archery, badminton, baseball, chess, sepak takraw, swimming, table tennis and wushu, while futsal will be played as a demonstration sport.

Meanwhile, Mike Humiding of the host KCP said Muay Thai competition will be included as a regular sport to be played during the second phase of the BBEAL and will follow the rules set by the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines.

Humiding added seven schools signified their intention to join Muay Thai, which will feature waikru (form) and combat competitions.

With the theme,

“Producing leaders through sports excellence,” over all defending champion UC will have their hands full this season as they battle it out with top contenders, UB and Saint Louis University Navigators.

Also out to challenge UC’s dominance are Philippine Military Academy Cavaliers who topped the boxing event and Benguet State University Wildcats which bagged the championship in baseball and football.

Other participating schools in the 31st season of the BBEAL are Baguio Central University, Baguio College of Technology, Pines City Colleges, and University of the Philippines-Baguio. Roderick Osis