It’s that time of the year again when Easternians do battle against each other as the Cebu Eastern College Alumni Basketball Association (Cecaba) 14th Dr. Chen Lieh Fu Memorial Cup unfolds today at the Cebu Coliseum.
A total of 14 teams will vie for glory with Batch ‘99 leading the way as it looks to duplicate its scintillating run in the previous season that saw them winning all its 19 games on its way to capturing the crown.
The defending champions, backed this year by BMC Hospital Systems and Hainanese Delights, will be spearheaded once more by reigning MVP Earn Saguindel and last year’s Finals MVP Mark Bukiron.
Other competing teams are Batch ‘80s/’90s/2011-Koi Herbal, Batch ‘86/’90s/2000s, Batch ’87/2000-Vancere Toys, Batch 1988/Dewfoam, Batch ’90s/2001-AJL Surplus, Batch 1995-La Nueva Pharmacy, Batch 1996-Blakeley’s Motorcare, Batch 1997-Solane iStyle, Batch 1998-Kaking, Batch 1999-BMC Hospital Systems/Hainanese Delights, Batch 2003-Dimsum Frito, Batch 2005-Headway Motorcycle Hub, Batch 2006-1st ACY Shipping Corp./Cebu Regal Pension House and Batch 2007-Chef Chang.
Today, Batch ‘99 takes on Batch 2006 in the first game, while Batch ‘80s/’90s/2011 plays in the second match. Capping the opening day is the encounter between Batch 2003 against Batch 1997.
The competing teams will play in a single round robin format in the elimination round. The top two teams after the eliminations will advance to the semifinal round outright while the bottom four will take an early vacation.
In the quarterfinals, the number 3 team will go up against no. 10 squad, no. 4 versus no. 9, no. 5 versus no. 8 and no. 6 versus no. 7. The higher seeds will enjoy twice-to-beat edges.
Quarterfinal winners will advance to the single round semifinals with the top two teams advancing to the finals. Quotient system will be applied to break ties. The championship round will be a best-of-three series, while the battle-for-third will be a one-game affair.