ISAA opens 6th running with a bang

MANILA, Philippines - The Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) inaugurated its sixth season with pomp, pageantry and a promise of bigger things to come before a crowd of over 7,000 at the Cuneta Astrodome last Wednesday.

Since its inception in 2009, the ISAA has maintained a core of five founding members, namely, the Feati University Seahawks, Manila Adventist Medical Center and Colleges Soaring Angels, Manila Tytana Colleges (formerly Manila Doctors College) Titans, Philippine Women’s University Patriots and La Consolacion College Blue Royals. Four years ago, the St. Dominic College of Asia Red Pikers joined the league and the next season, Philippine Merchant Marine School Mariners.

Lyceum, Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP), Southville International School and Colleges and FEU East Asia College participated in the ISAA for two years but are no longer in the fold. The league expects to expand in the near future with New Era University, St. Paul University and Philippine Air Transport and Training Services (PATTS) School of Aeronautics knocking on the door.

Dr. Gregorio Andaman, president of this season’s host St. Dominic College of Asia, said he has no illusions of challenging either the UAAP or the NCAA and offered the ISAA as an “alternative association” that plans to expand beyond sports to academics and culture. Although only five years old, the ISAA is recognized by the SBP and its senior basketball champion is an automatic entry in the annual Philippine Collegiate Champions League.

La Consolacion is the defending men’s basketball titlist. Lyceum won the first two crowns in 2009 and 2010 then TIP ascended the throne in 2011. Philippine Merchant Marine captured the title in 2012.

The ISAA season runs for eight months, usually from August to March, with games held in different member schools. Competitions are staged in basketball, volleyball, table tennis for the first semester and badminton, swimming and dragon boat racing for the second.

For the sixth season, ISAA president Melanie Florentino of Feati declared the games open. Inspirational messages were delivered by guests of honor Vince Hizon and The Philippine Star sports columnist Quinito Henson in the inaugural program. In an added attraction, Judy Ann Derla of St. Dominic College of Asia won the Miss ISAA title over six other muses, garnering the most points in the categories of beauty, confidence and crowd appeal. The opening dance number featured the St. Dominic College of Asia basic education students, Dominican Dance Company and Kulayawan Performers. Master of ceremonies was ISAA vice president Jonathan Sta. Ana of St. Dominic College of Asia.

The oath of sportsmanship was led by defending champion La Consolacion skipper Angelo Quinloc. The six other team captains were introduced at center court for the ceremonial toss. They were AJ Balatbat of Feati, Martin Frani of St. Dominic College of Asia, Nitu Manalo of Manila Adventist, Fritz Gamban of Manila Tytana, John Fernandez of PWU and James Gonato of Philippine Merchant Marine.

Hizon quoted inspiring passages from the Bible and led the audience in unity exercises where he asked everyone to extend their arms and greet those beside them. He told the athletes to do their best for the greater glory of God. Henson spoke about coach John Wooden’s pyramid of success where mental and physical condition, skill and team spirit are the cornerstones. He used the word “spirit” as an acronym to expound on the positive factors of Solidarity, Pride, Integrity, Respect, Inspiration and Teamwork.

The first-ever season opening speaker was now SBP executive director Sonny Barrios. The second was PBA legend Alvin Patrimonio, now San Mig Coffee team manager. The third was Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra who happened to be in town for a visit. The fourth was PBA legend Kerby Raymundo subbing for Jojo Lastimosa. Last year, it was Sen. Sonny Angara.

ISAA PRO Ruel de la Rosa of Manila Tytana Colleges said the school initially joined as Manila Doctors College in 2009. “We eventually changed the name of our institution to Manila Tytana Colleges to reflect the expansion of our courses from not only medical-related but also business-related,” he said. “We continue to be strong in our nursing program but we’ve also become known for our other courses. We were renamed Manila Tytana in honor of our owner Metrobank chairman George Ty’s late mother Dona Victoria Ty Tan.”

De la Rosa said since the ISAA is relatively new, it still hasn’t produced a star who went on to play in the PBA. A link to the PBA is guard Rob Labagala who is in the staff of St. Dominic College of Asia’s head coach Eric Samson. This season’s slogan is “Simply Amaze6.”