ISAA opens 15th season

With a theme of “Moving On, Stronger Together, 2.0,” the 15th season of the Inter-Scholastic Athletic Association (ISAA) commenced on Thursday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Hosted by Air Link International Aviation College as part of its 40th foundation anniversary, the day consisted of six basketball matches, including five games involving the ten participating schools in the seniors division.

Two of the matches involved the hosts and ended up with mixed results. The Blazing Phoenix fell short against defending juniors champions La Consolacion College – Manila, 83-75. Their seniors’ counterparts would then pull off a come-from-behind 74-71 win over the University of Asia and the Pacific.

The other results saw defending seniors champions La Consolacion College-Manila fend off Immaculada Concepcion College, 76-71. Opening the action in the morning was Treston defeating ICCT, 72-70.

Closing things out were PATTS’ 68-48 win over St. Dominic College of Asia, and WCC’s 76-60 triumph of PWU.

Aside from the games, the league also held their Opening Ceremonies in the afternoon in between ALIAC’s games. It included performances by the ALIAC Aliyah Chorale, ALIAC Aliyah Dance Company, the Phoenix Pep Squad, as well as select performers from their fellow ISAA member-schools in a “The Greatest Showman-” inspired number.

For ALIAC chairman and CEO Atty. Dr. Gomeriano V. Amurao, “It’s a fantastic journey for our school. It took us 40 years to get here, and we would like to convey our appreciation to the ISAA management, its officers and board for giving our modest school the opportunity to showcase its abundant talent and skills.”

Andre Ober from the defending champions La Consolacion College – Manila administered the oath of sportsmanship for his fellow student-athletes.

This season proves to be a historic one for ISAA with their partnership with Sinag Liga Asya, securing broadcast of the entirety of the league’s basketball tournament, both for its juniors and seniors division. Representing the SLA officials in the event are Chairman Rocky Chan and COO Leo Isaac.

Chan believes that this is the start of a bigger things to come between both sides.