WNCAA kicks off 46th season tomorrow

MANILA, Philippines - Lady athletes take center stage as the WNCAA unwraps its 46th season with juniors, midgets and seniors matches in centerpiece basketball tomorrow at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Embracing the slogan “Strong Women, Strong Nation” and hosted by Philippine Women’s University (PWU), this year’s competition will introduce poomsae as demo sport in addition to the regular sports –  basketball, volleyball, futsal, cheerleading, badminton, swimming, table tennis, taekwondo, softball and tennis.

“The event of poomsae is fitting for women because it’s really about grace,” said WNCAA executive director Maria Vivan Manila during yesterday’s presscon.

An opening ceremony set at 10 a.m. at the RMC will usher in the 2015-16 season for the 16-team league.

Highlighting the opener, according to PWU athletic director Marielle Benitez, will be a production number “that best represents the values of the WNCAA and the slogan of “Strong Women, Strong Nation” and an inspirational message from guest speaker Ada Milby, a mainstay of the Lady Volcanoes team that won the rugby sevens bronze in the Southeast Asian Games.

Basketball hostilities immediately commence after the opening at the RMC with matches between La Salle College-Antipolo and De La Salle Zobel in juniors, St. Paul College Pasig and St. Pedro Poveda College in midgets and host PWU and titlist Centro Escolar U in seniors.

Seniors volleyball also kicks off tomorrow over at St.Scholastica’s College featuring PWU versus holder Rizal Technological U, San Beda Alabang against CEU, Assumption College San Lorenzo against Miriam College, and University of Asia & the Pacific versus SSC.

Futsal gets going on Sunday at the UA&P with three matches each in the juniors and seniors divisions.

“Sports results in physical fitness and even more importantly it helps in character development. Where there’s dedication, determination and discipline, success, however, you define it is inevitable,” said PWU SVP Regina Filart. “It’s our hope the dedication, determination, discipline will be exhibited in all areas of the athletes’ lives.”

Benitez, skipper of the Philippine Malditas, said PWU seeks a strong showing in various fronts.

“There’s a lot of pressure for the athletes to deliver their best performance. As host, we want to win the overall championship,” said Benitez, banking on the Patriots’ bets in basketball, volleyball and futsal to anchor PWU’s bid.