MANILA, Philippines - The National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) kicks off its 12th season on July 30 with the past and present cage stars gracing the opener at the Makati Coliseum.
Four-time PBA MVP Alvin Patrimonio, Olsen Racela and Chris Tiu join actor-sportsman Richard Gomez as special guests during the opening ceremony to be hosted by St. Clare College.
A heavy four-game bill in the centerpiece event of basketball later ushers in the league’s new season, which has the theme “Driven to Succeed.”
“It’s going to be a big bang for NAASCU this year especially with the addition of beach volleyball and beach handball in our school calendar,” said league president Dr. Jay Adalem in the weekly PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.
Basketball will be the only sport to be played in NAASCU’s first semester, according to STI official Mhel Garrido, who was also guest in the session presented by Smart, Pagcor and Shakey’s. The rest like volleyball, taekwondo, track and field, swimming, badminton, cheer dance, table tennis, and chess will be held in the second semester.
Back-to-back men’s champion University of Manila has taken a leave of absence, making the field a wide-open race for the championship among eight member schools.
Opening-day games pit STI College Olympians against St. Clare Saints, the City University of Pasay Eagles take on the New Ear University Hunters, the Centro Escolar Scorpions testing the mettle of the Trace College Stallions, and the Our Lady of Fatima University Phoenix up against the AMA Computer University Titans.
During the opening ceremony that starts at 9 a.m., Centro Escolar will be awarded the overall champion trophy after topping last season’s competition with a total of 229 points. Runner-up was Our Lady of Fatima (220), and third place was AMA Computer University (140).
Games will be aired over NET25 for the second straight season.
Also part of the opening rites is the search for the Mr. & Ms. NAASCU 2012.