5th FCABL caging draws two dozen teams

CEBU, Philippines - Since its inception in 2011, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Basketball League (FCABL)-Cebu gets bigger and better each year.

This season is no exception.

A record number of 24 teams will slug it out for supremacy in the 5th FCABL Inter-Church Basketball Tournament that will take off on February 1 at the Sacred Heart  School-Ateneo de Cebu Mango Campus gym along General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City.

Tournament commissioner Lawrence 'Tata' Merced said from the mere eight entries since it started four years ago, the league now has attracted two dozen teams, 16 of which will see ction in the 34 and below category.

These are Blessed Hope Christian Fellowship (BHCF), Athletes for Christ in Excellent Service (ACES), Christ’s Commission Fellowship (CCF), Bradford United Church of Christ, Inc. (BUCCI), CFGA Kingdom Builders, MCA, Lighthouse, NISSI, GWUC, Praise Cathedral, MCOF, Baptist Church of Christ-Pardo, Talamban Church of Christ, FEFC, VNBC, and WVBC.

The remaining eight in Living Word-International Bible Institute, CFGA, Christian Workers Basketball Association (CWBA) Lapu-Lapu, Salt and Light, MCOF, CWBA-MCA,  CWBA-Metro Cebu and Talamban G12 Network will compete in the 35-below division.

The 34-below contenders will be divided into two groups of eight teams each. They will play in a single round robin format, with the top four  advancing into the crossover quarterfinals. The winners will then be ranked accordingly, with the No.1 taking on the No.3 and the No.2 going up against  the No.4 in the semifinals. The survivors will clash for the championship, while the losers will battle for third place.

For the 35-above, they will figure in a single round robin during the elimination phase. The top four will proceed into the crossover semis. The  winners will then slug it out for the coveted title.

Meanwhile, Merced announced that the final FCABL-Cebu meeting with coaches and pastors is scheduled tomorrow, January 26, at 7 p.m. at  the  FCA office along Ganciang Street, Cebu City. During the gathering, Merced said all teams should pass the needed requirements for final  screening.— EBV (FREEMAN)