EIGHT of the best collegiate teams in the country battle for national supremacy in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) starting on Thursday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.
The Elite Eight will be divided into two groups which will play a single round robin.
The top two teams of each group play on a crossover one-game playoff in the semifinals, with the winners going into the championship match.
"The objective of the PCCL is to provide incentives and recognition to school teams in the provinces and giving opportunities to local talents to be exposed on the national stage," said PCCL chairman Rey Gamboa.
UAAP champion Ateneo headlines Group A alongside NCAA runner-up Lyceum, Cesafi champion University of Visayas and Southern Luzon champs Naga College Foundation.
The PCCL three-peat seeking San Beda will banner Group B and will be joined by UAAP runner-up La Salle, Mindanao champion Holy Trinity College and NCR qualifier San Sebastian.
The Red Lions and the Stags renew their rivalry on opening day when they clash at 3 p.m. as the Blue Eagles take on Naga in the nightcap.
The new look Green Archers play the curtain raiser against Holy Trinity at 1 p.m.
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