Games Saturday (Paco Arena)
11 a.m. – Opening Ceremony; 12 noon – MCU vs CEU; 2 p.m. – PCU vs PWU
THE Universities and Colleges Athletic League-PG Flex Linoleum is all set to hold its 6th season on Saturday, Jan. 20, and become the first collegiate league to open shop for the year and welcome the newest members of the well-knit family.
From its humble beginnings, the league now has nine member schools with the addition of Manila Central University and Philippine Women’s University – both excited to join the fastest-growing league after experiencing the thrill during the league’s pre-season last year.
UCAL baptisms of fire for MCU, PWU
Both teams will be tested right away as MCU goes up against repeat-seeking Centro Escolar University at 12 noon while PWU tangles with Philippine Christian University-Dasmarinas at 2 p.m. at Paco Arena in Manila.
Enjoying the trust and confidence of all members schools, the Angel’s Pizza-presented league will also be staging tournaments in men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s basketball 3x3 and E-sports – a development that mirrors the league’s growing popularity.
And that's also the reason why it is now using its original brand – UCAL – instead of UCBL (Universities and Colleges Basketball League) as the league, led by its president Franklin Evidente and tournament director Horacio Lim, intends to give student-athletes more opportunities to showcase their talents.
“We are opening Season 6 of the UCAL with 9 member schools. We would not have gone this far without the loyalty and support of our member schools, the press and the media, our social media and livestream partners and of course, our major sponsor, PG Flex Linoleum,” said Evidente.
PG Flex shares vision with UCAL
PG Flex Linoleum president Nelson Guevarra said: “We have the same vision and mission with UCAL, help those who need help especially student-athletes. It’s our way of supporting Philippine sports.”
The league was sidelined for three years due to the COVID health crisis but returned with a bang last year with the mighty CEU squad dominating the basketball competition.
Apart from CEU, PCU-D, PWU and MCU, other members of the league are Diliman College, Olivarez College, Guang Ming College in Tagaytay City, University of Batangas, and Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas.
Games – held every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – will be livestreamed on Smart Sports and UCAL social media pages.
Lim said a number of PBA players were nurtured and polished by the league, among them Dominick Fajardo (NLEX), Jhorey Napoles (Phoenix) and Bryan Santos (Converge).
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.
