AFTER a series of delays and postponements, the much-awaited regional basketball league Countrywide Basketball League is set to launch its maiden season on August 7.
CWBL general manager for basketball operations, Joe Lipa, announced yesterday the participation of six teams with Cebu boasting of two—the M. Lhuillier-Cebu of head coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba and the Cebu Landmasters-Bogo City of head coach Jun Tan.
They will be joined in the competition by Anak ng Laguna, Pacman-General Santos of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, Flying V-Davao and Mighty Sports-Bulacan. Ironically, Mighty Sports is being bolstered by five standouts coming from Cebu, namely former University of San Jose-Recoletos guards James Regalado and Iron Suano, and forward Kevin Villafranca, and the University of the Visayas’ Rhaffy Octobre and John Abad.
Regional competition is the unique feature of CWBL. The teams will play under Fiba (amateur) rules in a double round-robin eliminations to determine the four teams that will make the playoffs.
The CWBL will have the home team playing two straight games on its homecourt every Thursday and Friday, with all the games to be carried by ABS-CBN Sports and Action. The CWBL will hold three conferences each season.
Unlike other leagues, where there are restrictions on players, the CWBL will hold open tournaments and will allow teams to acquire as many former PBA players as possible. The teams will also be allowed to bring in Fil-foreign players provided that they possess valid Philippine passports.
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