By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Aimed at broadening and strengthening the organization, the PG Flex-Universities and Colleges Athletic League (UCAL) is set to introduce two new sports in its eighth season, officially kicking off on Oct. 9.
Badminton and table tennis will make their debut in the second semester of the league, joining basketball, volleyball, street dance and esports.
The first semester will feature street dance, which will open the festivities following a simple opening ceremony starting at 11 a.m. at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City on Oct. 9.
Host Centro Escolar University expressed confidence it can defend its crown. Volleyball matches are scheduled to begin next week at the University of Batangas.
Horacio Lim, chairman of the league’s Board of Trustees, said the league has been improving over the past years.
“I’d like to say that UCAL is a developmental league. We feel that we are catching up (with other leagues), and we are proud to develop players even if they are being recruited to other more known leagues,” said Lim during the press conference on Monday, Oct. 6, at Patio de Manila.
The event was also graced by PG Flex owner Nelson Guevarra and UCAL management team led by Col. Bong Nebrija, Bernard Yang and Carmelo Navarro.
With a theme “Rising to New Heights,” Lim also shared that the league is looking to expand, with several schools already expressing their interest in joining.
Host school Centro Escolar University, through its President, Atty. Danilo Concepcion, expressed enthusiasm in leading this season’s festivities.
“We at CEU are excited as we prepare to host the season. It marks not only the beginning of a new chapter, but also a celebration of youthful talent, teamwork, and the enduring values of fair play and camaraderie,” he said.
Backers of the event like Smart Sports, Spalding, Hapee Toothpaste, Mighty Bond, Akari, Quintana Sports, Vital Purified Drinking Water, Topflite, Crane and Maruyama, CafeFrance and RC1 Lubricating Spray also send representatives to the event.
Aside from CEU, other member schools include Diliman College, Immaculada Concepcion College, Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas, Manila Central University, Olivarez College, Philippine Christian University-Dasmariñas, Philippine Women’s University, and University of Batangas.
Former Senator and Diliman College President Anna Dominique Coseteng also graced the event. Diliman was the host last season.
