16 teams vie in United Calabarzon caging

MANILA, Philippines - The United Calabarzon Collegiate League (UCCL) has lured 16 college and university teams and 10 high school squads with the seniors champions clinching a berth in the Philippine Collegiate Champions League, according to UCCL tournament director Lito Arim.

“The University of Batangas Brahmans are seeking their third straight title but we also have other squads like La Salle-Dasmariñas and even Faith loom as contenders,” said Arim, who is also the First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities sports director, during yesterday’s PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Formerly known as the North Batangas Open League, this year’s eighth edition of the UCCL aims to promote friendly yet competitive play among the athletes and schools in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and Quezon. The opening rites were graced last weekend by PCCL organizer and veteran coach Joe Lipa.

Majority of the games are played on Saturday and Sunday at the Faith Indoor Sports Arena and Activity Center on the institution’s campus in Tanauan, Batangas until Aug. 23. Schedule and results of the games can be viewed at the league’s website at www.uccl.ph.

Aside from the men’s, women’s and boys’ basketball, other events on tap are the men’s, women’s boys and girls volleyball; the men’s and women’s beach volleyball; the boys and girls football and mixed chess.”

Arim said they intend to add track and field to the roster.