Update as of February 1, 2018
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT RE: PCCL National Collegiate Championship schedule
Coach Jose Lipa, Jr., Executive Director of Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) announced the revised schedules of Elite Eight games of the 2017 National Collegiate Championship. The revised schedules will have Ynares Gym, Pasig City as site of the preliminary games from February 8 to 11. The semifinals featuring the top 2 teams from Group A and Group B in cross-over matches will be played at FilOil Flying V Arena on February 12. The championship game is on February 15 at FilOil Flying V Arena.
Coach Lipa explained that the revision was due to a last minute decision made by Ultra Sports Center management not to agree to hold the games at Ultra on February 13 and 14. Based on Coach Lipa feedback Ultra management feels that allowing the games at Ultra to proceed would not be to the best interest of the players and basketball fans since the air conditioning system is not fully operational, thereby affecting ventilation that would cause inconvenience for all.
The Elite Eight phase of the National Collegiate Championship involves the top eight collegiate teams in the country with representatives from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, NCR and the top 2 teams form UAAP and NCAA. The teams are divided into two groups, Group A includes Ateneo (UAAP champion); Lyceum of the Phils (NCAA runner-up); University of Visayas (CESAFI-Cebu champion); and Naga College Foundation (Luzon Qualifier); Group B are San Beda College (NCAA champion); De La Salle U (UAAP runner-up); Holy Trinity College (Mindanao Qualifier); and San Sebastian College-Recoletos (NCR Qualifier).
The top two teams of each group will meet in cross-over matches; Group A #1 vs. Group B #2; Group B #1 vs. Group A #2. Winners of the cross-over games clash for the National championship. At stake is the Manuel V. Pangilinan Perpetual Bronze Sculpture, “Abutin ang Tagumpay”, symbol of collegiate basketball supremacy.
The full schedule of Elite Eight games is shown below.
The tournament format are as follows:
- Teams are divided into two groups
- Teams will play a single round robin within their respective groups (3 games each)
- Top 2 teams from each group plays crossover matches in the semifinals (1A vs 2B, 2A vs 1B)
- Winner of the crossover semifinals will play for the Championship.
Classification:
- Win loss record.
- In case of ties, winner over the other rule will be followed.
- For multiple ties, quotient system among teams involved will be implemented.
HI, Mr. Lipa: I have the following suggestion to make the PCCL more attractive for our provincial followers. The provincial eliminations leading to the two (or three) teams that qualify to the PCCL’s Elite Eight (and this would include the NCR) be converted into the PCCL Challenge Cup. This will provide more incentive for all teams in the qualifiers as they themselves are competing for a specific title : The Challenge Cup. (In the Asian Football Confederation, a Challenge Cup was initiated some years ago for second-tier teams. Our PH Azkals were runners-up in 2014. But the AFC has since dissolved the league and expanded the scope and participation of the Asian Cup). As it is now, the provincial leagues know they are uncompetitive at the Elite Eight level. So the focus, within the Challenge Cup would be the title itself and the PRIVILEGE of competing with “the big guys” in the PCCL itself. How about it? After all, you are already implementing it. All you need to do now is to re-orient (or re-focus the eliminations into an end in itself and formally :baptizing” it so.
Wishing you success with the PCCL.