PCCL returns after one-year absence

The Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) is back.

After a year of absence, the league returns and will will feature the best collegiate basketball teams in the country and schedules its national finals in February 2018.

“Because of the problems of scheduling and financial reasons, we decided to cancel the PCCL National Championships last year. But since it is my desire to give the teams a direction following their respective tournaments, we discussed it the different leagues and we came up with the decision to hold it this year and the national finals in February (of next year),” announced PCCL founder Joe Lipa at the meeting of the Cesafi coaches at the Cebu Coliseum function room yesterday.

Despite the criticisms and flak he received after declaring a double champion in 2015, and the lapses of the previous tournaments, especially towards the pro- vincial teams, Lipa implored the attendees to discern his reasons.

“I received a lot of criticisms for the mistakes of the past tournaments. But I can assure you that my heart belongs to the Cebuanos or to any provincial teams. In my time as a college coach, I never recruited a Cebuano player for my own gain. I recruited Cebuano players for the National Team but not to play for UP or Ateneo. I have high respect for Cebu teams and Cebuano sports officials. And I have a special bond with Cebu that is why in all of my projects, Cebu always plays an important role. Please help me make PCCL better,” Lipa added.

Unlike the previous format, this year PCCL is going lean into the national finals.

Only one team will qualify for Luzon, NCR, Mindanao and the Visayas. Completing the 8-team field tournament are the top two finishers of the NCAA and UAAP tournaments.

Please help me make PCCL better JOE LIPA PCCL Founder