SHAABAA to adapt streaming technology

CEBU, Philippines — Keeping up with the latest trend in technology, the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association will be adapting the online media streaming for the first time in its colorful history.

This as games of the league will have streaming video via Cebu Sports LIVE starting on the 23rd SHAABAA season set to kick off July 29 at the Magis Eagles Arena of the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

“We have to keep up with the latest trend of technology that is why we are coming up with this live streaming for our games,” said SHAABAA President Clement Gothong during the event’s formal launching the other night at Veranda Resto Bar in Parkmall.

“This is also in keeping with our commitment to make our league bigger, better and more exciting each year,” Gothong added.

For this year’s edition of Cebu’s longest alumni-based cage league that has attracted a total of 25 teams spread in three divisions, Gothong said they are going back to their solid batch rule wherein players will be suiting up only for the batch they belong.

“Under the solid batch rule, the team is more unified. You get to know everybody from which batch they belong. This will also strengthen our goal of fostering fellowship and camaraderie among the Sacred Heart alumni,” said Gothong.

Fighting it out for Division A supremacy are hardcourt warriors from batches ‘89 to ’98, Division B is for players from batches 2000 to 2007, while Division C involves batches 2008 to 2015.

They will play in a single round robin format, with the top two teams from each division gaining outright semifinal berths.

Teams No.3 vs No.6 and No.4 vs No.5 will figure in knockout matches for the remaining spots in the final round of four.

The top-ranked teams will enjoy twice advantage in the crossover semifinals. The winners will then dispute the division championship in a best-of-three series.

Games will be under the supervision of tournament commissioner Robert Rafson Chua, with the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP)-accredited referees in charge of the action.

“I just hope that the players will observe fair play and display good sportsmanship at all times. Looking forward to an exciting and successful SHAABAA season,” said Chua. (FREEMAN)