By Dugout Philippines
MANILA—The eighth season of the
Universities, Colleges, and Schools Athletic Association (USCAA) with the theme
“One Vision, One Spirit, One Team: UCSAA Making
The Difference,” is set to unfold with a rare triple-bill at the
Ynares Arena in Pasig August 31.
Season hosts St. Dominic Savio
Unicorns will lead the seven-member league along with holdovers ICCT Colleges
Blue Dragons, Don Bosco Technical College-Mandaluyong
Grey Wolves, First City Providential College (FCPC) Royal Eagles, and Pasig Catholic
College (PCC) Crusaders.
Making debuts in the league are College of Saint John Paul II Mighty Lions and
the Colegio de Santa Teresa de Avila. Taking a leave of absence for this season is Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel, the double seniors' volleyball champs.
“The secret to our lasting eight years
and possibly more is our adherence to the values of Integrity, Respect,
Discipline and Friendship,” said league president Dr. Nestor V. de la Cruz of
host Saint Dominic Savio during the press launch at The Centennial Building of Pasig Catholic College, Aug. 23.
The participating schools will slug it
off in seven sporting disciplines: basketball, volleyball, chess,badminton, taekwondo, and table tennis.
Also making a return is the centerpiece cheer dance competition.
Defending seniors basketball champs Blue Dragons open its title-retention bid against the Unicorns in the opening match right after the opening ceremonies. This will be followed by the juniors’ match-up between PCC and First City Providential College.
Don Bosco will cap off the day against the Mighty Lions in the third game.
Another new development is the
appointment of Steve Leonard Marucot as the new league commissioner, with the
basketball champions earning a berth for next year’s Philippine Collegiate
Champions League (PCCL).
“I want to take the UCSAA to the next
level and this includes the champion going on to play in the Philippine
Collegiate Champions League later in this academic year,” said Marucot, a
former standout for the Mapua Cardinals.
Selected
games, including the play-offs, will now be available thru livestream at the official UCSAA Facebook
page (facebook.com/UCSAAs7). Games will be held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
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