NAASCU braces for stronger 2025 season

MANILA, Philippines — As St. Clare College stamped its class via record fashion in men’s basketball, the National Athletics Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities is gearing up for a 22nd season bigger and stronger than ever.

NAASCU president Dr. Ernesto Jay Adalem said the league hopes to harness the best sporting talents outside the older collegiate leagues like the UAAP and the NCAA.

“Through the years we have shown that bigger leagues don’t necessarily mean bigger talents,” said Adalem who is also vice president of St. Clare.

The Saints, under the watch of coach Jinino Manansala, recently recorded their historic seventh straight title, and eighth overall.

That eclipsed the feat of NAASCU founding member University of Manila which had five championships in a row under the late mentor Ato Tolentino.

“It was all hard work not only by the coaching staff but by the entire team as well,” said Manansala whose father, 1978 PBA Rookie of the Year Jimmy Manansala, provided help from the bench.