A BIGGER and better ninth season awaits the Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) with the streetdance competition opening the year-long sports calendar that will get an added flavor with the introduction of U19 basketball.
With the league carrying the theme ‘Unstoppable Together,' host Manila Central University will formally open the brand-new season with a colorful opening ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 19 at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
CEU seeking repeat
Aside from the performances from rock band Lola Amour and OPM artist Matthaios, the streetdance competition will highlight the opening with Centro Escolar University looking to defend its crown.
“As expected every year, the league will get more exciting, the teams get more excited to play on the floor, we have other sports events that we’re building up this UCAL Season 9. So, everybody is strong this season," UCAL chairman Horacio Lim said during the press conference on Monday.
Apart from MCU and CEU, also attending the opening are the seven other schools namely Diliman College, Immaculada Concepcion College, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas, Olivarez College, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, Philippine Women’s University and University of Batangas.
The season continues with the men’s and women’s volleyball, esports and badminton events for the first semester while men’s basketball headlines the second-semester schedule which will also feature 3x3 basketball and table tennis.
The U-19 basketball tournament will also be played every Saturday in the second semester with six of the nine participating schools joining the inaugural tournament before it goes full swing next season.
“Our dream is to produce national players. And we hope someday we can contribute to the effort of our Philippine sports education for all the athletes. And we can be part of the grassroot of the national team in the Philippines,” said Lim.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
