More teams join fledgling MCCBL

Sports

A FLEDGLING school-based tournament is gaining ground.

The Metro Cebu Collegiate Basketball League (MCCBL) is set to open its second season on Oct. 10 at the Cordova Sports Complex.

Sandi Grumo, the league’s executive director, said two new teams have signed up for the league.

In a press launch on Sunday, Sept. 28, at Solea Mactan Resort and Waterpark, Grumo announced that the Indiana Aerospace University (IAU) and Cordova-Catholic Cooperative School (CCCS) are joining MCCBL.

Returning founding members include the defending champions St. Cecilia’s College (SCC) Maestros of Minglanilla, last season’s runner-up Talisay City College, Cordova Public College, Cebu Technological University-Main Campus, Cebu Sacred Heart School College of Carcar, and Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SC-SIT) Skyblazers.

“As we enter MCCBL Season 2, our commitment remains strong: to elevate the game, to develop our youth, and to give small schools a bigger stage for their big dreams. This is our league. This is our basketball family. And this is our time,” Grumo said.

After its inaugural season, MCCBL decided to progress to give “small schools with big dreams” an avenue to showcase their aspiring athletes.

“The MCCBL isn’t just about basketball. It is about opportunity. Basketball is still the No. 1 sport in the country and there are a lot of talented young athletes out there who don’t come from big schools. They may not have the biggest budgets, the biggest facilities or the biggest names, but they have something that cannot be measured,” Grumo said.

“They have dreams. That’s why MCCBL exists,” Grumo added.

League founder and Cordova Municipal Councilor Remar Baguio said the second season will feature more games.

The second season will also feature a secondary division.

“We had a shorter inaugural season. It was like testing the water for us. This year is projected to last for seven to eight weekends, single round robin in college and double round robin in the junior division. Instead of bracketing, it will be a single round robin for both college and junior,” Baguio said.

MCCBL is also keen on bringing its games to its fans. To achieve this, games will be played in various venues.

Grumo said games will also be held at the Lawaan Uno Gymnasium, Talisay City Sports Complex, Mandaue City Sports Complex, and Cebu City Sports Institute.(CCM)