Maiden season of Amicis Basketball League takes off

CEBU, Philippines —  The inaugural season of the Amicis Basketball League gets underway this morning at the Consolacion Sports Complex.

Before the hardcourt hostilities, a simple opening ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. to be graced by Consolacion Mayor Joannes “Joyjoy” P. Alegado, Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation President Carlos Donn Flores, and Consolacion’s consultant on sports and barangay affairs Paul Alelu Flores.

 Games will immediately follow. The order or play will be determined by drawing of lots.

A total of 14 teams are taking part in ABL’s maiden journey.

These are the SFG, SPEAK, St. Francis, Club Amigo, SKBC Larmen, and Cruz Basketball in the Under 29 category and YBC, Thor Olshoppe, ‘99ers, Jiclor, Alfa Wanbatz, Flores Cousins, Rizal Micro, and Jonas Lechon Catering in the 30-above division.

ABL co-founder Lee Mar Dahil said the Under 29 contenders will play a single round robin, with the top four advancing to the crossover semifinals. The top two seeds will enjoy twice-to-beat incentive. The winners will clash for the championship in a knockout match.

In the 30-above, the eight teams will play a single round robin. The top two will gain outright entry to the semifinal round armed with a twice-to-beat advantage. Teams No.3 vs No.6 and No.4 vs No.5 will slug it out in the knockout quarterfinals. The winners will proceed to the semis. The finals is a winner-take-all affair.  EBV