2006 SCBHABA SEASON: Atan Guardo Cup caging set to blast off tomorrow

The San Carlos Boys High Alumni Basketball Association (SCBHABA) will kick off its 7th season billed as "Atan Guardo Cup" at 1 pm tomorrow at the USC North Gymnasium.

A total of 13 teams will vie for top honors led by defending champion Class '85, which boasts of a formidable offensive machinery anchored on All-Star MVP Lou Regidor and reigning regular season MVP Edwin Banaag.

Class '85 is expected to face though challenge from seven strong squads in Division I that include Class '70s of RP's living basketball legend Ramon "El Presidente" Fernandez, ex-Mama's Love star Paul Abais and former pro Tata Merced.

The rest of Division I competitors are Class '80 of SCBHABA vice president Earl Balankig, Class '81/'84 of Michael Balankig, Class '82/88 of John Auza and Dindo Sausa, Class '83/'87 of 2005 All-Stars Jess Gerali and Paris Simene, Class '60s of CECABA's Ruben Ong and Class '86 of sportsman and event organizer Jonathan L. Guardo.

The Division II action will surely rekindle the scathing rivalry between reigning title-holder Class '94 and 2005 CEC Friendship Cup titlist Sirlitz '95.

Division II MVP Sigmund Cabrera will show the way for Class '94, while Leo Dale Caparas and Christian Solon will be at the cornerstone of Class '95's championship campaign.

Another team to watch out for is Atan Guardo '93, 2003 Inter-Alumni champion and 2004 SCAHABA ruler.

Manpower wise, Atan Guardo '93 is a serious title threat with the likes of former MVP and All-Star forward Roy Jumao-as Jr., Bong Eleazar and 2005 All-Star MVP Jade Ylanan is its fold.

Completing the cast of combatants in Division II are Class '96 of Maye Abenido and Blue Espinoza, Class '97 of dreaded long-range bomber Chad Noval, and CECABA Class '95 of Donald Anthony Ting and Dean Dy Teves.

The tournament follows a double round robin format in the elimination round, with the top four teams per bracket advacing into the quarterfinals where the top two teams enjoy a twice-to-beat incentive over the lower-ranked squads.

The survivors will then set up a titular showdown for the division championship, with the winners clashing for the 2006 SCBHABA Atan Guardo Cup crown in a best-of-three series.

Meanwhile, prior to the start of today's hostilities, a parade of participating teams together with their respective muses will take place along Mango Avenue.

In the first game, Class '70s will meet CEC '60s, while Class '85 takes on Class '82/80 in the second game.

This is the fourth SCBHABA season under the leadership of Sirlitz 1995's Christian Solon. The rest of the 2006 SCBHABA officers are Earl Balankig of Class '80 (VP), Angelo Parcon of Atan Guardo '93 (secretary-general) and Atty. Rey Honorio of Class '83/'87 (legal counsel)

The league was first conceptualized in early 2000 and has been going strong for seven seasons already carrying the flaming message of sportsmanship and camaraderie among the USC Boys High graduates.