6 new teams to join E-League

CEBU, Philippines - Six new teams will be seeing action the 12th season of the CSCC E-League men’s basketball tournament, which will kick off tomorrow at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.

Tournament director Rey Fuentes said during the event’s formal launching yesterday that the newcomers are United Health Group Cobras, QBE Generals, Dynnino Raptors, Blue Ocean Pirates, Tech Mahindra Mighties and Atos Falcons.

They are all under the Evo League together with the Author Solutions, Inc. Hardbacks, Kyocera Frontiers, The Results Spartans,  Teletech Titans, Supportsave Dragons and Contact Solutions, now known as the Flying Lemurs.

Last year’s Evo champion Telstra Boomerangs have been elevated to the Elite Classic led by defending champion Convergys Converters.

They are expected to face tough challenge from other top contenders namely the Teleperformance All Stars, SSI Warriors, Accenture Sharks, Lexmark Stallions, Wipro Tigers, ePerformax Reds and Sykes Pioneers.

“Of course there will be pressure on our part being the defending champions,” said Convergys team captain Lourence Limpangog, a former USJ-R Jaguar.

“But we’re confident because of the players we have. We also don’t want to underestimate the other teams,” added Limpangog. “We just have to live by our slogan – prepared to defend and ready to repeat.”

All in all, a total of 21 teams will slug it out in the five-month tilt co-presented by Cebu City Marriott Hotel in association with Zenovia International, the league’s official website developer.

League commissioner Marvin Caro said they will play in a single round robin robin format, with the top seven advancing to the playoffs. The eighth playoff slot will be determined by lottery.

The top four seeds will enjoy twice-to-beat advantage in the first round of playoffs. Both the semifinals and the championship are a best-of-three series.  (FREEMAN)