The inaugural Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup: The Big Dance is set to commence on August 1, 2024, at the Enderun Gym, featuring 28 collegiate basketball teams from across the Philippines.
This tournament is designed to emulate the excitement of the US NCAA’s March Madness, providing a platform for teams outside the prominent UAAP and NCAA leagues to showcase their skills.
The Pinoyliga Collegiate Cup aims to inject a distinctly Filipino flavor into the competitive landscape of collegiate basketball. Tournament commissioner Russell Raypon emphasized the initiative’s goal during a media briefing held on July 26 at the Amelie Hotel in Manila.
“This is an American idea with a Filipino twist on it,” Raypon stated, highlighting the tournament’s unique approach to collegiate sports.
The participating teams were meticulously selected based on various criteria, including the strength of their overall programs and the competitive level of their respective leagues. The rankings culminated in Letran securing the top position, followed closely by Adamson University. Other notable teams include College of St. Benilde, San Beda, and Mapua, rounding out the top five.
Project Director Benny Benitez expressed optimism about the tournament’s potential impact on the collegiate basketball landscape in the Philippines.
“Malaking tulong ito sa paglaro ng collegiate basketball space, because in reality, the landscape of collegiate basketball in the country is like a blue ocean,” he said. This sentiment underscores the tournament’s aim to fill existing gaps in the collegiate sports framework.
Benitez also mentioned that this is merely the beginning, with aspirations for future expansions.
“We’re starting with an arm’s length. If we could gain traction and consciousness, it would be wonderful to expand,” he added, indicating a vision for growth and inclusivity in the tournament.